On the Road Again, Sunday 23rd Planting

Though it seemed like an eternity standing there defenseless in the dark, hearing the muffled struggle going on out there between my friends and a an unknown enemy it was only a few moments before we were all reunited and on our way back to camp safely with the prisoners, owing perhaps to a guardian angel that seemed to have joined us that night. It’s invisible hand evident in at least two instances now.

The evening was insufferable; an apparent lack of experience in handling prisoners by the soldier and guide resulted in a needless death. I have found at least one skill developed at sea readily translates to the adventuring life ashore, and I am now in charge of securing prisoners. Only one prisoner survived the night it turns out, owing to a particularly heavy handed method of interrogation employed by the businessman Cade. I should like to know what manner of enterprise he is engaged in so I might take extra precautions before entering negotiations with him or his guild brethren.

I was surprised that my recommendation to leave the last survive be in the hands of the Gods, was heeded. We disarmed him, kept him bound and sent him blindfolded down the highway. He would find his allies and report that this area was not someplace they should tread, or find his way into the nearest village where the locals would not be so kind. It was not up to us.

I prepared Burning Hands this morning, in light of the broken terrain and the distinct possibility of close quarter’s battle but more so at the behest of Church who has expressed an unexpected desire to see that magic in action. I will keep a pinch of sand close as the sleep magic worked better than expected, with a little more practice in actual battle I should have the targeting of that down solid quickly.

The weather is agreeable, a cool breeze today, but the sky is threatening from the east, and there is a good chance of a summer storm blowing through. I hope but have not dared to ask our guide, that there is a place to shelter at the crossroads to Hyle.

How did I get here?

Sit back and let me regale you with a tale of nautical intigue, murder, curses and escapes!

It was early winter when my father asked me if I could use a little extra work before settling in for the season. I laughed saying that I had already greased and packed my instruments, stocked the wine and even found Churchill a companion for the cold nights. He laughed and asked me what I had in mind to keep myself company?

Before I could answer he handed me a letter from the (navigator’s) guild assigning me to the brig Tempest. I’d seen her before; she was an elegant, fast vessel with good accommodations for her size and I was intrigued by the chance to go aboard her. The charter was only passengers and the guild had negotiated an enormous fee for my services which should have told me there was something more to this than a simple last run ahead of the winter storms.

The letter instructed me to report in two days, leaving me little time to make arrangements for my things while I was away or prepare my instruments. Father said he’d see to my things and said that the ship had its own tools aboard; its navigator had passed away with no heir so I could use them. Not knowing the man or the condition of his tools I prepared my own equipment anyway. In hindsight that was a terrible idea.

When I arrived at the vessel, the sailing master told me that I was late and threatened to cancel my contract in favor of another sailor, a fellow I knew to be less than a gentleman, and even less of a sailor. I turned to leave wishing them well on their way to the bottom. Then the captain appeared. He was a classic martinet, a former military sailor who was used to flogging and keelhauling unruly crewmen. He ordered me to stand fast and one of his crew blocked the gangway. He calmed himself and invited me to his cabin and offered twenty crowns apologizing for his mate’s demeanor.

He told me of the charter and handed me the chart, it was bloodied, holed and had been singed. It was old, fragile and showed an alien sea full of tiny islands marked in ancient dialects and more recent translations sloppily added to it. He told me that his passengers were professional explorers, nobles of great influence and power from a northern country, Veluna I believe. They were seeking a discarded and forgotten treasure lost during the great migration – washed ashore in the South Seas. He swore me to secrecy and I promised to keep the map secret and safe in my quarters.

I had heard many stories, ghost ships, phantoms and sea monsters and thought there had to be some truth to at least some of them. I weighed that against the potential rewards…I foolishly perhaps, agreed to sail. It would be twenty seven days to the first landfall. The hold was fitted out with enough provisions for many times that duration and extra room had been allotted to the crew and passengers; that promised to make the trip a relatively pleasant one. According to the plan, we would be home near the end of winter, and enjoy tropical temperatures most of the time. Once we cleared the 25th latitude and its famous storms.

I inspected my quarters and settled in. the previous navigators tools were badly damaged which unnerved me a bit. I then inspected the ship, from her ballast on up. She had been recently refitted and was in superb condition, this put me at ease again. Churchill settled in, ah he’s my longtime companion there in the window, and the next morning we set sail. I met one of the noble passengers who were traveling under pseudonyms. I knew him to be a wizard named Imrahil, I had met him at an event in Bar Harbor once. He was a student wizard as I was; only he was much more advanced. We talked at length about the map which was his apparently but he did not seem to remember me.

We hit a terrible storm at the 25th and it sickened even the saltiest of the crew, confining all but myself, the sailing master and Imrahil to quarters. When we got through the storm we came upon a smaller vessel that had not been so lucky. It had been badly damaged and it was drifting lifelessly. We sent out a lifeboat and three men to investigate her. She was in bad shape and sinking it turns out. The three men who went aboard her returned after an hour with as much of her remaining valuables as they could carry.

The crew vociferously lobbied the captain to take her in tow as a prize for the salvage reward, a share of which is easily two years salary for any sailor, but he refused saying that he could not tow it, or spare crew to operate her and Tempest back across the line into safe harbor. Nor could he assure he could save her from sinking even with every hand put to it.

We sailed away and watched her go down. I can’t remember her name now, but her image haunts me sinking over the horizon. I wonder now if she was abandoned or if our men found the crew injured or incapacitated and robbed them.

Well soon enough we had more misfortune, a passenger had gone over in the night. I was on watch then and was alert as always. I have no recollection of how it happened but I.

Days later the captain had decided to put the crew to work to quell rumors of a curse. He pushed them so hard that they finally mutinied. They threw him over board, murdered the 1st mate and sailing master, letting only myself and the quartermaster, a fellow named Gaston live. They killed two of the passengers who were on deck at the time and resisted then roused the two others sleeping below and locked them in the hold.

I resorted to a spell to save me and the other navigator, I convinced the leader of the uprising the carpenter William Bramble to let us live, and he agreed to do so if I could best him in a favorite game of chance, a friendly wager he said. Ordinarily there are only two sides in a mutiny, thanks to the charm person spell, I had found another. And knowing full well how to cheat at cards, I did so to the best of my ability I even won a second hand where I wagered for the longboat to take me towards home.

I offered to play for the prisoners and Gaston’s release but the pirates laughed saying that those passengers were worth more than the ship! Gaston chastised me for abandoning the passengers to the pirates and I assured him he was the fool for worrying about them that he should come with me, the passengers were more than just wealthy explorers…Gaston, a brave and honorable man would not hear of it.

As I sailed in the tiny long boat, almost certainly to my death, I watched a fire erupt aboard the brig. It seemed that the young wizard was beginning his escape. I could not catch the brig to help or learn more owing to the wind…

A few days later I made landfall south of here on the eastern side of the peninsula away from Gyrax. I sold the launch for a pittance and ventured inland with Churchill to contemplate my next adventure happy to have missed the worst of the winter at sea. I’ve been here ever since.

Baptism of Fire, pre-dawn Sunday 23 Planting

After we had made camp our guide Shayla, appointed to us by Concilman Mesko, reported that she had sighted a small group of goblins, presumably hostile and she dashed off. Independant business man, halfling Cade vanished, and Perry ran off to join Shayla. I was left staring at Church wonder what to do.

I packed my nightcap away again and put my bridgecoat back on, made sure that a pinch of sand was where I had packed it in the event I would need to cast sleep and followed. I suggested to Church he remain here safe but he followed me as I had hoped. When I caught up to the group, they were near an odd stone that looked like it might have been a statue eons ago. We were in a low cut, slightly off the road where there was lots of undergrowth but only a couple of large trees. The ground was soft owing to a heavy rain last night. I only saw Perry and Shayla, Cade was gone- then it happened.

Beady eyes in the distance, then the sound of a sword being drawn, an arrow hitting the dirt near my feet and before I knew it the fay woman had charged headlong into the dark! Perry followed her and I ducked behind the large stone and asked Chuchhill if he could make out what was happening. He arched his back and hissed in the direction of the road alerting me to a small beady eyed figure in the dark trying to sneak up on us. It seemed like an eternity - another arrow came at me and lodged itself into the stone just above my head - I turned and stood to cast sleep at the figure, but it vanished - only a sense of puzzlement from Church who then drew my attention back towards Perry and Shayla.

The spells energy was building and ready to burst so I squeked out (trying to sound intimidating and shout but failing) “I will be not but a dream when you awake, now SLUMBER deeply as the old ones!” throwing the pinch of sand into the air trying to target the sound of battle and the dim shadowy figures I could make out. Horror my heart stopped - our guide fell.

Though she was obviously an elf, the sleep spell took her down, thankfully Brother Perry stood next to her, able to resist the spell he stood guard to ward off any other attackers near her not disabled by the spell. I ran faster than I ever had to get to her - Perry stood hovering over as I roused her and put her on her feet - now I could here Cade curse and I sensed he was in trouble ahead. Shayla didn't ask any questions as we hoisted her to her feet, handed her my dagger and pressed her sword back into her hands and bid her GO! Pointing towards the sound of Cade.

It was over so quickly, Perry followed Shayla again and I stood unarmed, depleted of power hoping against hope that there we would be safely away soon!

Road to Prinzfeld, Starday 22nd Planting

This evening finds me less than exhausted but quite dusty and in great discomfort, having spent the lion’s share of the day in the saddle attempting to keep up with our ‘guide’. We are less than halfway to the crossroad for Hyle and already I must admit that my patience for her brusque demeanor is near its end. I’m hoping to avoid having to speak to her much so as to avoid losing my temper with her, in light of the information Mesko gave me about her recent tragedy.

The route we’ve taken has been pleasant and enjoyable, except for the horse. Perry and Cade have proven to be agreeable travel companions, each making their own contributions to keep the mood light despite reports of dangerous activities at night and continuing reports of monsters activities in the areas. The locals (inhabiting the many small hamlets and scattered farmhouses) report all manner of hazards to travelers, and yet bravely stand their ground. There is no panic, no one is apparently retreating – is this testament to their faith or their own hearty nature?

I had the most enjoyable stop in the Hamlet of Chandler when Shayla allowed us to stop and rest while she scouted the road ahead. I was amazed to notice Perry talking to his horse. I don’t know if this was simply his way of expending nervous energy or if he and his animal shared some communicative bond.

I took the opportunity to shelter in the inn called ‘the brow’. I had a lovely chat with a farmer who had come to the tiny hamlet with his wagon. I met the man sitting at the bar enjoying a pipe and an ale. He was smoking a delightful blend of herb that I had not encountered before. He agreed to share it after gentle prodding, and we shared a delightful conversation as well. The highpoint of the trip so far.

Though I swore not to reveal his identity I think it safe to say that he was an elf man, and no simple farmer. He claimed he was there on business botanical with the Ehlonna priestess there at the hamlet. The priestess it turns out was away for the afternoon and he was making use of the shade afforded by the inn as I was. I picked up a few words of wisdom, of the fay tongue and pointers on carrying my concealed weapons. I should very much like to meet that young (?) man again.

Freeday, 21st Planting

Having been stymied in my efforts at research this past week and exhausted in my labor, it was refreshing, if briefly terrifying to be granted a reprieve today. A representative of the Prince here in Ulek has requested I participate in a small public service which shall require me to travel in mixed company. We will travel to a hamlet called Prinzfeld to learn what might have delayed their delegate to the regional council meeting being held here in Havenhill. While I suspect monsters, I cannot discount the mundane possibilities of illness, drunkenness, highwaymen or the like being responsible for the delay.

We are to be led by a young fay-woman named Shayla who knows the ground we are to cover. I have found a pre-hateful war map and some notes about the conflict amongst the texts I have been transcribing and made some notes for my own reference. I hope to endear myself to the young fay-woman and convince her to assist me with my experiment when this small task is complete.

Though I suspect Shayla, who I believe is some manner of soldier, will be well prepared for the travel, I will spend some time provisioning myself for the task at hand and enjoying a hero’s feast this evening. I will engage in a game or two and see if my luck will portend a good journey on the morrow.

Godsday, 18th Planting

While stealing some time to work on Nystul's Werelight in ongoing attempts to crack that spell I have happened upon a curious hue. Owing to the season and hibernation of fireflies, I have been forced to substitute components. The curious dim red hue I have been able to generate with rose quartz or vermillion has a unique quality which I must explore; it does not interfere with (ordinary human sailor) night vision. It may be ideal to light a ship's cabin at night, particularly for those who must frequent the weather deck (as must captains, navigators, midshipmen and the like). I have observed the light is dim and does not travel very far lighting only a small work area, and it lasts for quite some time, longer with the cheap abundant quartz than with the expensive vermillion. I must consult a demi-human to see what affects the light might have on their night vision, I suspect it would be either invisible to them, or perhaps the opposite - be a bright beacon that might extend their vision...knowing this I could plan appropriate precautions when working with demi-humans or against similarly sighted humanoid monsters. Churchill has said that he can see the light but not the hue, I do not understand his sighting but believe him to be near color blind (are all cats?). In any case, this limit to vision has not been conveyed to me along with my familiars other sensory powers.

Havenhill, Waterday, Planting the 5th

Today I have found myself in the town of Havenhill. Having few funds with which to continue my inland adventure, I have decided to toss out the anchor, if only for a while. While purchasing some supplies I had heard a friend was here studying at the library and though I missed him, I was blessed by providence to find employment and a place to stay thanks to the master librarian Cromwell. The work suits me well, I feel that with good effort I should soon be able to parley this new beginning into a profitable venture.

I have begun to examine possible apprentices by the same means my master sought me, hoping to gain assistance in my own personal work and to pass on the gifts given me.

Churchill is not quite as pleased with the new surroundings, he says compared to the cramped decks of Tempest and Mist, the library is a significant step backwards. There is no pleasing him some days, I assure him this is temporary but he has decided that he will remain out of doors more often than not. When the money begins to come in and the food improves, he’ll come around.

Who is Kildare?

Kildare Redding is the adopted son of an honest merchant captain, and skilled navigator from Hardby. Recently marooned by mutinous pirates, he and his beloved companion Churchill, a large black wharf cat have found refuge in the Sheldomar Valley. He has decided to take a break from the sea and instead explore developing his magical hobby and tinkering into a full time endeavor.

He is a brave, but not foolish, optomistic and adventerous young man of 26 years. He is six foot tall, blonde and as much of a gentleman as a sailor could be. He is a bit of a gambler and prays to the Laughing Rogue Olidammarra as well as Storm Lord Procan.

Churchill is the one calling the shots though, just ask him. Weighing in at over ten pounds and more than four years old, 'Church' is also a curoius explorer, but is far more aggressive than his svelte human companion. Church enjoys adventuring on land, but would prefer to be back aboard the Tempest though he knows she has been lost to pirates, and possibly sunk.

Arrival in the Sheldomar Valley

Three weeks now since making landfall, my decision to trek inland seeking to avoid being swept up into a rumored conflict on the Pomarj border had been a wise one. However, my funds are nearly exhausted now, and I have little in the way of prospects to improve my circumstances. I was able to win a night’s room and board in a friendly wager, but I expect living on luck cannot last.
Churchill seems to be adapting well to a landlubbers life, so long as we stick to civilized areas he has ample supplies of small game available to him, smaller than what he is accustomed to at the Hardby dock district.
Spell research has been put on an indefinite hold until sufficient funds can be located. As for myself I am finding the Valley to be a very agreeable change of scenery. The people are friendly and warm, the food is heartier than I’m used to but well seasoned. The temperate clime the valley is famous for gives rise to an infinite variety of wild flowers, great and small.