Journey into darkness

Wen Journal Entry 2:

By: Kevin Sung

Journey into the darkness within

It has been a while since my last journal entry. Perhaps I fear writing down the horrific things I have seen that only through time and wisdom am I better able to understand. They say the world that is, is merely a reflection of the inner self of each person in the world. The chaos I have seen suggests a much darker inner self lies within me or perhaps a reflection of the inner self of my companions in addition to mine. In addition my word was given and the task at hand makes it all the more difficult.

My last entry indicated that the party I was traveling had settled into a tavern on some dark world. The smell of death and decay rankled my soul. The chaos around was like a tornado try to twist my soul to its breaking point. It was evident that this world reflected its master so well, Veckna. I named I have only vaguely heard through myths rumors though mostly through my own dealings with the hunters long ago.

To be quite honest, I was afraid. This world had gone insane and I feared for my own sanity. I thought I was above this, but I can feel fear creeping into me to the extent that I am beginning to show my own inner turmoil. I was not prepared for the horrors that I had seen. Nightmares that were merely just dreams have become reality. I have become my own worst enemy with my indecision. I sat huddled in a corner of the room deep in meditation hoping to cleanse myself of the fear that gripped me.

The party had split into two groups while I tried to regroup. Emjod and I stayed behind. Riatha and Drake went about looking for some healing potions and various other gear we would need for the coming trials ahead. Etrigan and Kaylo went looking for the palace or at the very least some idea where we were. The day went by uneventfully for us which was a good thing. Emjod needed the rest from all the fighting.

I hoped they kept a low profile. Etrigan didn’t look like the type to ask questions first but rather later and while Kaylo had a way with words, sometimes I think he gets into more trouble talking then if he just kept his mouth shut. Less is more in my opinion though both have been far more courage then I do at the moment. Still I worry that between the two of them they might draw more attention to themselves then unnecessary. The last thing I would need is to fight my way out through a sea of vampires and other undead creatures and possibly have my soul trapped here.

Riatha and Drake I have more faith in keeping a low profile though I doubt supplies in this world come cheap and not without a price though with two elves together, I suspect they would go with what you know and try to deal with elves exclusively. After all why pair the elves together? Come to think of it, the party in general does have a more kill first, sort everything out later attitude. A little dangerous but considering they did get me this far, I do owe them a debt, assuming they don’t get me killed first.

I waited most of the day until the two groups back. Riatha and Drake had secured some supplies and tracked down a possible lead on some magic items that could be useful. Something to do with insane rune mages on the main island left over from when this world was created. I was skeptical at the time and considering the limited amount of healing, did not want to go and pick a fight.

Kaylo and Etrigan returned with limited information. They surmised we were on the island controlled by Lord Herrod, some vampire and one of the inner council of Veckna. I got the feeling they were hiding something but figured as long as the undead hordes didn’t come crashing down, it was ok if they had their secrets. My concern was to get home and out of this nightmare. Before going to into my meditation, Kaylo decided to wander the streets for news. He did have more guts then brains and did not think it wise. He relies too much on the Veckna artifact to save him and one of these days it might come to haunt him. I admit the odds of this happening was remote still there is a reason humility is a virtue and not a vice.

The next morning, we find out from Kaylo that he found a secret passage to the palace. He didn’t say how he obtained the information though his face seemed paler and had this slightly more insane look about him. Somehow I doubt he got it with just wandering the town. I don’t want to know how he did get it and did not listen to many of the details. He did say that most of the top wizards and council members were off to the front fighting against Kas though the big four (Vlad, Crasius, Velin and Mizana) were still around. I thought it odd that Vekcna would be leaving his palace weaker unless he was planning some sort of trap. Veckna though is not that obvious. Arghh……… I am getting a headache thinking about all the possible schemes and counter schemes. No point in worry about it. What’s done is done. I can only hope to navigate the chaos by following the ebbs and flow of the world. Otherwise I might make a small problem into something bigger

After picking up provisions and determining how to get to the palace we headed off to the dock. The shopkeeper was much like this world, a certain familiarity with a twist. It looked like what was left of an elf. I kept getting this queasy feeling. My fear was still getting the best of me and it didn’t help that the closer we got to the island. The more twisted this world seemed to me as we closed in on Veckna.

When we got to the dock, we were greeted by some creepy hooded figure. We had to buy passage and we didn’t know the fee. Eventually we figured out we needed to give blood. No one seemed in the mood and Drake offered to obtain some. I am pretty sure I didn’t want to know so I gave my blood. It might have been a mistake but I will deal with the consequences and not someone else.

The passage to the main island was uneventful except for the creepy moaning unjelating maimed bodies we were crossing over. Drake and Kaylo seemed somehow enthralled by it which made it even creepier if that was possible. Those two were steadily going more and more insane and I am not sure I wanted to be there if we got past the breaking point. I saw one of my companions retch. I am not sure which one from the sickening sight around us.

Once we got off, we managed to track these rune mages down. They weren’t too hard to find as they were touching people with some sort of weird rune. After some pursuit we somehow lost them in the crowds of beings. After spending some time picking up their trail, our rangers were unable to track them down though we had a pretty decent idea that they were in one of four buildings. We decided to wait until night before we attacked. As we headed back we met a vampire who said we had an audience with the night walkers. We had to meet with him in about six hrs which the party thought was enough time to go back and loot the rune mages.

We found the hideout. There were traps everywhere. I didn’t really catch what kind though. There was some trap on a very thin wire that would set off something. I did however see the illusion that covered a very large pit into pitch black darkness. Some of our party was not as fortunate as Riatha failed to see the illusion and fell down the pit. Etrigan dove down into the pit to grab her and managed to prevent her from being a messy splot at the bottom. They both went down to the bottom and somehow a rune ball enclosed Etrigan.

Riatha quickly asked to parlay with the Runelords. An odd move considering we were planning on robbing them but she was the boss and I was just tagging along on this adventure and hoped to get back in one piece. A ball of energy with two different faces appeared before us. I inquired about where we were and how I could get home. Apparently these people were from the same world as me! A quite frightening revelation but at the moment I had more pressing concerns. They also discussed some powerful rune book I had on my person. I still have no idea how it got on me. Probably someone put it on my belongings in order to hide it from someone. It must have happened after my trial before I was exiled. I have no idea who and began to get worried because apparently anyone with rune magic could follow me. I had to find answers soon though I didn’t trust these Runelords. There was a certain level of insanity about them. Almost if they had drank too much from the fountain of power and couldn’t control their own desire for it.

Eventually they agreed to help us and gave us each a rune tattoo which helped improved our various skills. We also received a rune pebble that we needed to throw through whatever portal we escaped so that they could escape. I wasn’t too keen on helping them as I had other obligations but at least I didn’t agree to anything. It was best to keep a low profile.

Afterwards we met up with the same vampire who was to take us to the meeting. He took us underneath in a labyrinth of sewers and tunnels to meet this leader of the night walkers. Somehow I didn’t think this meeting would go to well. We saw him on a throne in a huge dome like structure underground. I saw plenty of eyes and what I figured was broods of vampires and pseudo vampires. It wasn’t a pleasant place to be in. He essentially said we need to help Veckna. I agreed to follow the party which to me only meant I would follow them physically and not necessarily in deeds. This party has a habit of making promises they can’t keep. I hope this doesn’t come back to bite me but there is an old saying “I rather be wronged then have wronged.” According to the Night walker leader, we were going to be granted access into the Veckna throne room and aid Veckna in his fight with his brother Araketh.

So the next morning, we showed up already to go into the palace. We had no problems getting there or opening the doors. The place was eerily quiet. Too quiet for me. Almost the calm before the storm. We entered this vast chamber made of bones. There were two doors and a stair case leading up with two huge skeletons stood guard but didn’t move. In addition a large bone throne in the middle of the room. We found the bottom rooms were vampire feeding rooms. Etrigan decided to sit on the throne. I didn’t like it but it was his choice. Once Etrigan sat on the throne, it looked like Etrigan’s mind got fried. Must have been too much for him. We pulled his body off. What was really weird was his nasty sword starting humming. It wanted to get out! I was worried. The sword broke free and decapitated Etrigan and started feeding on the oozing blood. We were all disgusted.

With all options gone except the staircase, we tried that. Of course the skeletons came alive but we managed to dispatch them. We started heading up and ended up on top of the first level. All of a sudden the giant eye starting swooping down on us. It looked badly mauled from something. Riatha put some arrows into it and the rest of the party finished it off. I wasn’t exactly sure why she did it but she clearly pissed off Veckna. As we fought the eye, two black clad men fell down to there deaths. It looked like Araketh’s men based on the lack of missing appendages and the strange Venetian masks they were wearing. When we reached the first platform, we searched the rooms. One had a heavy breathing and we decided to wait on that. We did find a chest with a weird reverse trap where the opening was where the hinges should have been. There was a ring and a decrepit hand. Emjad meanwhile started up to the next level. Riatha decided to open the door and find an orb wraith! We fought it for a little while but eventually we got hurt to badly to continue the fight. We ran. Some of us went up, and some of us went down. What we didn’t know at the time was Emjad was fighting one of those weird Venetian thief like fighters but was bested by him, Kaylo quickly brought him up while I kept the thief busy. Emjad with renewed vigor finished off the Venetian thief. As we were fighting, we see a horde of vampires climb up the walls. Two vampires decided to attack us while the rest continue the climb up. So we had two vampires in front of us and an orb wraith behind us. Kaylo casted daylight while Riatha disposed of one of the vampires. The daylight frightened the orb wraith and ran away. During this time, Drake managed to loot the dead Venetian body that was at the bottom. He had fallen off the staircase but managed to cast feather fall to land safely.

When we reached the upper level, the door was guarded by two large skeletal warriors. In our current condition, we couldn’t fight are way through so Kaylo attempted to talk is way through. Veckna agreed to aid us. He also was able to bring back Etrigan. At least sort of. Foul magic was at work here and I couldn’t even describe the foulness of what I saw. Etrigan was revived but became some sort of skeletal warrior and his soul was trapped in an amulet. It was eerily creepy. I am not sure Kaylo would be a friend to have. Though in this world everything had some perverse twisted sense of humor.

After passing the skeletal warriors, we were then allowed to enter the library to pick up one powerful item that could aid us in the fight with Araketh. We had to see a person name Crassius. I had no idea what was worth getting. Kaylo seemed like he didn’t want to see Crassius. I am not sure why. Though after seeing Crassius’s reaction, I might be frightened too. He had this rather fairy like atmosphere about him. At least I think it was him even though he seemed to have a penchant for dressing like a woman. It was disturbing.

Kaylo and Crassius spent some quality time together while the rest of us got to pick an item of use. I had no idea what was worth getting. I thought of all the weapons I could have but I remember a short story where a wise man was asked by a god to choose a gift he could receive. Either wisdom or wealth. He chose wisdom and in so doing gained the knowledge to obtain wealth. So I chose a magic item to improve my wisdom.

After getting our items the party decided to check the other tower lest we missed any loot on the way. Drake ethereally jaunted and was able to scout around the tower whose owner was some necromancer. One of the top four lieutenants of Veckna who each had a tower. From what I gather someone had beaten them to the punch and the tower didn’t have much of value and would take considerable effort to get in.

We then headed for the throne room for the final battle. Veckna assured us the path was clear and we wouldn’t be impeded by his forces. There was apparently still some time before Araketh showed up. I had a dilemma though. A promise to keep that might conflict with the parties and I wasn’t sure how I would play it out. Only in the clarity of mind within the battle would I find a way.

Before we could enter, Veckna required one of us to were the artifact. The only way to get in was for one of us to wear the “gift” of Veckna. Essentially put the eye of Veckna as a replacement to his own. It was clear to me it would be either Kaylo or Drake. Kaylo volunteered as his will succumbed to desire of power. Drake then volunteered his services to carve out his eye for his new “gift”. It wasn’t pleasant but after what I had seen, some of my senses dulled from the sight. Almost as if it was old hat. The foulness of this place is starting to seep into my very soul. I had to maintain my center and realize these things were out of my control. I could only traverse the chaos with a clarity of mind. Somethings were just beyond my power to control.

When we entered the throne room, a battle was raging between Araketh’s men and Veckna’s. Several of Veckna’s key lieutenants were there. It was fairly evenly matched battle from what I can tell. I wondered what Araketh’s plan was. These were clearly the diversion but it felt a little too obvious. A frontal assault isn’t his style. The party decided to pitch in and attack those they felt they could handle. Mainly the Venetian assasins while the party stayed clear of the rune wizards. I managed to keep by promise during the fight. It wasn’t easy with everyone trying to kill you but the Way is not paved with the easy. Only the difficult. The all of a sudden a new group appeared. Several demons ported in and fighting on behalf of Araketh. It was all very odd that they would be helping out. I had a bad feeling a very dark pact was made. One of the demons casted a wall of force that separated the party. I was on the side where the big players were. I wasn’t too happy about this considering my dilemma. Emjad being more daring decided to take on a demon and was reward with a decapitation. It wasn’t pretty. I didn’t like how this was shaping up.

While the battle raged, Etrigan’s sword which had been floating around killing some of Venetian assassins. Any help was greatly appreciated in my opinion though the gourging of the blood I could do without. Kaylo though for some reason kept trying to prevent the sword from drinking its victim’s blood. I wasn’t sure why. Meanwhile, a short wizard attacked Veckna’s defenses and was killed. That was the opening the sword needed as it drank the blood and hurtled up into the ceiling. The number of Araketh’s men diminished as did Veckna’s. It was clear the climax was quickly approaching. I had done my part to keep my promises. I was wondered where Araketh was when Etrigan’s sword hurtled down from the rafters and impaled Veckna just at his weakest moment. A flash and we could see the sword was being held by Araketh delivering the killing blow to his brother Veckna!

Araketh had defeated his brother. In an instant you could almost feel the power humming as Araketh absorbed his brother’s power. Unfortunately for the party, some members were not too happy with Vekcna’s demise. Both Kaylo and Drake and various artifacts tied to Veckna exploded off! It wasn’t pleasant and they both were in a lot of pain. Etrigan seemed to take pleasure in Kaylo’s misfortune or perhaps I imagined it. No one should be pleased in someone else’s suffering. Though I suppose what goes around comes around.

Araketh took a moment to cherish his victory and new found powers as he felt the immense energy he was absorbing. He even found it in his heart to bring back the dead and heal us up. Araketh explained that the evil trapped here was being released into the world. Even has he spoke, each of the sealed gates had been opened and were letting loose the evil trapped here. Araketh had ascended into greater godhood and was going to let his presence known. I wasn’t too sure what that would mean but it probably wasn’t a good thing in general. The Way is not paved through chaos and conflict but rising above it.

After a moment to enjoy the fruits of his labor, he offered us a job and possible additional employment. It would require Gaes on each of us to compel us to do the task. He didn’t trust us and to be quite honest, I didn’t blame him. We certainly were not the most trustworthy party. Apparently he wanted us to kill some person named Sergei, a brother of Vlad. He was imprisoned her along with Vlad to create Veckna’s prison. His dreams along with Vlad’s kept this world together. This Runelord person was starting to not sound like a great person. Almost like the chaotic opposite of Araketh in some ways like ying to yang. The party declined the offer figuring they couldn’t trust him. I was inclined to agree but I wasn’t about to rush into things either on picking sides. Sometimes the greatest dilemma isn’t solving a problem but realizing whether it is even a problem at all. Araketh’s release could be part of a grander scheme. Though I wondwer who scheme. There were too many evil people about and for some reason this party was eager to get in the middle of it. It has been my experience that when you look for trouble, it comes to you tenfold.

After parting ways with Araketh, the party threw the magic pebble through the portal home. I didn’t think it was necessary considering theyThe Runelords showed up on the other side and thanked us for our help. They agreed to train us in rune magic and to meet up with them one year and one day from now to take up on there offer. I wasn’t too sure I would. The Way is not paved by the search for power but clarity of mind and clearly these Runelords were a haughty lot. I am not sure I can trust them. I do trust the party. They have been generous to me even if their ways seem foreign.

Afterwards the party met with some lady named Evelyn in Noguard. I had never seen such a gloomy city. The whole city had this dreary quality that comes with living under martial law. Apparently Evelyn, the employer of this party, was clearly distraught at what happened to Etrigan. She told the party that Lysander had given the sword to Evelyn who intern gave it to Etrigan. The party seemed eager for a little payback. Evelyn didn’t seem right to me though I guess any power hungry person always seems that way to me.

I decided to put my lot with this band of adventurers. They had helped me without too many questions and I felt a debt and a growing connection with them. I remember a motto of a great statesman general from where I come from who was legendary for his sincerity. It went something like this:

“Opportunistic relationships can hardly be kept constant. The acquaintance of honorable people, even at a distance, does not add flowers in times of warmth and does not change leaves in times of cold; it continues unfading through the four seasons, becoming increasingly stable as it passes through ease and danger.”

I felt the kinship to these band of wanders despite there clear character flaws or sometimes lack of humanity. Each one was honorable in there own way. Hopefully this relationship will not turn opportunistic but I put my faith in there honor no matter how twisted it might be.

To pass the time I asked Eveyln to train some of her army. I figured it was a good way to pass the time and hopefully find something to keep me physically fit. I used my wages to help the people of Noguard in building a garden of sorts that could be a place of tranquility for the people to rest their weary bones. In my spare time I did some painting and poetry writing in hopes of clearing my mind from the horrors I had seen. I have a habit of just jotting things done here and there. I knew I had to rebalance myself from the evils that were ever increasing. I could feel the ever increasing chaos of the world as it slowly slipped into the dark abyss of nothingness. Only the strength within could prevail against such an evil. I hope I was up to the task but I needed to control the fears within.

Snowy winter, creeping darkness

The party was summoned for a little mission by Evelyn. Apparently we were told the Gundian army was advancing towards Noguard and we were to recon the army and if possible capture a War Wizard and/or any siege weapon plans. We were given two teleport scrolls to get to and from the base camp of Noguard.

The party teleported into the dead of winter using a scroll given to us by Evelyn. I could feel the bitter cold all about me. The forest to our south and relatively flat land to the north. The North east we saw smoke while two the west we saw two figures in the distance. After a period we heard rumblings first going South to North and then West to East. I didn’t like the sound of it. It wasn’t natural. We traveled towards to smoke until dark when we hunkered down for the night. Unfortunately it wasn’t very restful as a huge giant skeletal foot stepped into our illusionary shelter! Undead giants feel affinity to Etrigan and pull of dark place where we were heading. A snow storm was brewing so we used to cover and with the help of the giants made it to the edge of this bubble of evil that the undead giants felt. Etrigan told them to go and we made camp.

When we woke, we had a found ourselves in a nice location but unfortunately so did the Gundians as a watch tower was right beside us! With the snow storm we didn’t notice. The party sent one of the familiars, a hawk, turned it invisible to give a detail recon of the camp. We could see four distinct camps. One of the Gundian elite Malachite forces. The second was the regular Gundian army. The third was the usual mercenary camp and the fourth were these strange looking elves. Very tall. They were supposedly Ice elves and long time allies of the Empire of Gund.

During one of our observations of the Gundian camp we noticed four blue skinned moles(half dwarves and half giants) with wicked looking scythes on horse back with rows of skulls around there horses and necks. An eerie similarity between the four moles made me think of an ancient story that will be told at a later time. For the most part they went out at night and came back during the day. Once we saw them talking to the army officers. It seemed like they were given a wide berth by even them. They must be extremely powerful to warrant fear from army officers. We also saw a tower in the distance near the mountain face and decided to move our camp closer. That had to be the location of the war wizards.

We managed to move in closer and sent Etrigan to take a look. The whole tower was surrounded by some magic. We weren’t sure what. Etrigan had to go through the mountain and did some traversing through the tower. His details were a little jumbled but he apparently saw a dead ice dragon and in another room some sort of mechanical version of an ice dragon guarding some room. In addition he saw some frost giants and a freezer with some dead frost giants. He did find some machine that was sucking dead souls which was the source of the bubble of evil. He nearly got sucked into it and from what his description it wasn’t going to a pleasant place with the wailing going on. He thought he might have been spotted by a wraith but wasn’t sure. One of the doors he couldn’t get threw because of a forbiddance spell. Etrigan was a little antsy with the descriptions because he lost his favorite weapon, the Maul of the Titans, fighting some wraith.

We decided to investigate the tower the next day. Unfortunately those blue moles didn’t leave. We had a feeling we had been detected but still we moved on. We dimension doored into what Etrigan felt was a safe room and worked away to what looked like a promising door. We couldn’t open one of the doors though as a forbiddance was cast. Something was trapped in there as we heard noises. The party attempted to try to talk to who ever was behind the door in hopes that he might be of some use to us. The voice claimed to be imprisoned here and would help us if we let him go. He didn’t seem too bright and I wasn’t sure the party could trust him.

We then headed for the kettle room and hoped we could quickly take out the wraiths on guard and the dewer dwarves(dwarves of the underdark) that were managing the kettle contraption. One wraith became ethereal immediately and got away. Kaylo tried its best to go after it and did manage to finish it off with a dagger throw and a flame strike but not without making a lot of commotion.

After killing off the wraith and dewer dwarves, we decided to circle up and face whatever was coming at us. Something the dwarf said before bothered me. Something about the great power of Orcus and he would destroy us. It could be nonsense but he seemed to believe it. My thoughts were immediately broken by the pounding on the forbiddance door as we waited. The Death salad was clearly in a battle frenzy and he was going to put a serious hurting on someone. Thankfully he was behind the forbiddance spell and couldn’t do much damage.

We soon had out hands full though. The four mauls with wicked scythes ported in and attacked our position. There wasn’t much time. Drake somehow managed to release Death Slaad to cause some confusion. I saw him cleave in two one of the blue skin mauls. Drake was able to quickly teleported us away. Riatha even managed to get a souvenir. One of those scythes the dead maul dropped. We reported back to Evelyn and buy a tavern.

After some discussion, we decided to try to go back for Maul of the Titans but forbiddance bounced us back on the mountain top. It was cold and large eagles were circling above giving some sort of call as if warning someone of our arrival. We quickly decided this was a bad idea and teleported back.

The party had a lot of planning to do. They had recently bought an inn. I am not sure why. Material needs do not concern me and sometimes can be a hindrance in finding the Way. Sometimes I wonder if the babbling about the way already makes me an average mind. They say those of the highest minds practice and do not talk about it. So many questions that require a more vigilant observation of the world for the answers I seek. The trip north did inspire me to write some more. My favorite is a poem of sorts:

Gentle snowflakes

waffling in the wind,

Like little spirits

wandering the land.

Floating down

without care or worry,

Reminding us,

of times long gone,

When things were simple,

And all was right.

The poem feels malformed in some ways. Almost like I still need to get used to the world around me or my new abilities as I get more experienced. I must continue to work on my clarity of mind. Only then will the answers I seek me revealed.

Journey of coincidence or maybe Fate

The party decided on a separate mission after a few days or rest and check out Werewood. Apparently Riatha was worried about some relics that were important to her. The plan was to teleport near Trell and work our way to the forest. After Drake performed the usual magic, we found ourselves in a clearing near a forest. So far so good. We decided to travel west which we assumed would be the direction of Werewood forest. In the distance we saw several dark flying spots. This was odd considering there should be any flying around Trell. We decided to hide and observe. Well most of us did. Etrigan was hiding in plain view as he is wonton to do. When the riders got closer we could see a Red Dragon symbol on each of the five riders who were mounted on peagsi. Etrigan gets taken by nights. Party continues to the Sharkel City. We headed to tavern recommended by the city guards. After some discussions, the party decided to make the most of our situation for clearly we were not near Trell. We decided to do a little shopping and make some contacts both weapons and magic items.

After some inquiries we found a person who dealt in magic items. Drake customarily took the back entrance to look around and did find a beautiful garden. We decided to enter the front door lest we get the old sage too suspicious. Ironically it turned out to be someone from my old homeland. Not that I knew him, but where I come from there is a connection among the people that you don’t see here in this foreign land. I didn’t expect to see a face like mine. I greeted him in the customary manner and he interned greeted me. As we were discussing various items the party needed, several vases were dropped by the shopkeeper when he was trying to find some books on a rather tall bookshelf. I managed to catch three of the five for it wouldn’t be proper to just have let it break. He didn’t seem too concerned that they fell and said they were replaceable. It was quite odd though from the snickering and whispers of my comrades its clear they thought he was testing me in some way. After the party had their discussions with the sage, I asked him if he had any books to read. I had seen some of the party members buy some from him and I thought it would be a shame not to take advantage of an opportunity to learn something new. He gave me this book that was very old that he thought I would be interested in. A copy of a copy and it was written on very thin nice paper. I almost felt like touching it would somehow turn the pages to dust. I decided to read it that night and without knowing it, the time flew by! I had stayed up most of the night. It was very interesting read. Drake had spent the time at the old sage’s place to study his garden. A convenient location to teleport into. I saw Drake making glances at the sage’s daughter. He was clearly smitten by her. She was pretty but I knew that appearances could be deceiving. Plus I had the good sense and training to focusing the task at hand. I needed to Improve myself to following the Way and not let any possible indulgence distract me. Emotions weren’t useless but they needed to be controlled.

The next day the party returned to work out some basic trade agreements so that we could exchange goods. I had earlier decided to make the rounds for the peoples from my homeland gathering news and seeing if anyone needed any help. Etrigan had a weapon commissioned by the dwarves in town. Drake spent some time at the sage’s garden so that we could easily transport back and forth. Before we left, I spent some time in his garden. I thought it would help me relax and bring clarity to my clouded mind. Afterward experiencing his garden, I wrote a poem from my experience in his garden and in its memory. It went something like this:

A leaf drifting about,

on the gusty winds of fate,

neither here nor there,

Caring not for what was,

Nor for what will be,

Only for what is,

following the Way,

That is unseen,

unspoken,

unheard,

but never out of mind.

He seemed impressed though I thought it was just a rather simple poem that was hurriedly jotted down by a simpleton. I tried to then return his book but he insisted I keep it. I felt it was too valuable to be given to me but he assured me it was ok. I wasn’t sure I was worthy of such a valuable gift. I hoped to learn more from him. He clearly had knowledge about the Way and its applications to life. Too many of my colleagues believe that the the Way is paved from removal of this world. I did not. Life often comes down to simple truths. Get busy living or get busy dying. It seemed the removal of this world was just another way of dying to me. Only through understanding that we are a part of this world, will you find the true Way.

I rejoined my companions and we teleported back to Noguard without incidence. I had much to think about and more training to do and the party had a shop to open. Two different paths entwined into one like a piece of rope that should only grow stronger with time by depending upon each other.