18/5/1030
It has been one month since I hired the Ylary group to explore the tunnels for me in the hopes of finding a lead on the Claw of Mighty Simurg. Today I met with them to pay them (100gp each for a party of four). They had nothing much to report.
24/5/1030
I have been discussing plans for the new temple with architects. It looks like it will be more expensive than I had at first thought. The stone walls will be especially costly, but I want this temple to last and make a good impression. I am planning that it will seat around 300 people and contain an extensive library of religious lore. In total it will cost 65,706 gold and the books for the library will cost another 20,000 gold. I will delay the start of building to see how the flax harvest goes.
18/6/1030
I met with the Ylary adventurers again. They want longer between meetings so that they can get more done. Their cleric of al-Kalim will Send to me when they arrive back at civilisation. I offered them some magic items from the worm’s hoard for a low price but they have not yet accumulated enough treasure to be able to afford them.
I lent the Bag of Tricks I had made to the cleric to bolster the strength of their group. I have also offered to Send to them occasionally to make sure that they are still doing relatively OK.
I dropped in to the Caves of Falun to see if the dog men had returned. I could find no sign of them.
I have received the first profits from the new flax crops. These are not as profitable as the mine but the income is more reliable in the long run. The income is actually quite impressive. Now I need to rely on Fadeyka to find a good market before the store houses overflow. Divine Abundance helps greatly with this crop as well.
9/7/1030
I transported myself to Kastellios to speak with Marcus Cassius Aurestius. Unfortunately he is currently visiting relatives in Thyatis and will be away for another two months.
I spent some time collating what we know about the entropy artifact held by the queen of Seaburg. It appears to be a circle of iron around 3’ in diameter and is overwhelmingly magical. It was used to support a table until I spotted it with a Detect Magic spell.
We were led to it by a Legend Lore:
“From broken ring to broken ring, Horde’s Hoard calls the brood.”
A second Legend Lore, cast in the presence of the circle gave:
“Nine elves doomed to immortality, spirits bound, knowledge free, mouldering for eternity”
A third Legend Lore was done on the “knowledge free” part:
“All they know offered for free, nine elves, nine arts, free to those who know the keys”.
A later commune confirmed that they keys are command words. A mulder dwarf told us that it was made by masters Brokk and Sindri for a Great Giant (probably a titan). A titan (Jotan) named Lord Gertane gave us the information that one of the creators (life-shaper most likely) is bound in the ring and that we need the names of the imprisoned to use the ring. He also informed us that life shapers were mortals who had the ability to create creatures.
If I can find the name of this life shaper I can probably call him up to question him. He might well know more about the other elves trapped in the ring and how to destroy it. He should also be able to answer questions about life-shaping, which is obviously the ninth art mentioned in the riddle.
10/7/1030
Today I Transported myself to Dovefell. This was the town that the sailor in Odin’s tale came from. Given Odin’s extremely subtlety I thought I should check it out. Actually I used Transport via Plants to reach Tromso and then used Wind Walk from my Prayer Beads to reach Dovefell. The wind walk along the coast was quite pleasant, especially the several areas of cliff.
Dovefell itself is a small town whose main industries seem to be fishing and whaling. The population is around 2000 people. I spent some time wandering the bars and listening to the talk of sailors and other rough men, and heard much about the local politics. In particular the locals were not overly pleased with their stern ruler, Duke Cullen. Apparently they feel he spends too much time on politics in the capital (Norvick) and not enough time here in his lands.
Apparently the king of Westland and his heir were both killed around 25 years ago, and the king’s crown, the Sorona, was lost at the same time as well. There is some talk that Duke Cullen sees himself as the next king, and this is what he is working towards in the capital. He sounds like a true politician.
There was not much to actually see in Dovefell. I did find a temple dedicated to Frey and Freyja. As I arrived a small number of the poorer inhabitants were being fed with soup. I was tempted to offer them Freyja’s bounty via my Divine Abundance spell but decided that I had best not interfere. The godi in the temple carefully said nothing at all about the Duke when I asked, which further lowers my opinion of the man.
I decided to meddle in the local politics, which requires a trip to Norvick. I Tranported myself much of the way and by chance landed in the grounds of the Monastery of Ruthin. Apparently the head of this monastery, a monk named Annacks, is also the head of the Royal Council. Since I was planning to meddle in politics I thought him a good person to approach. Consequently I ascended to the monastery.
As a visiting godi I was treated politely by the monks. I was introduced to the estate manager – a monk called Devlin – who showed me in to the chapel. This chapel is kept locked due to the treasures kept in it. This seems very strange to me, but then this monastery seems dedicated to a saint (Patriach Haymin, the priest who invested the first king of Westland) rather than an actual deity. They still get spells though. Various paintings in the chapel showed monks and various kings, presumably emphasising the importance of this monastery in the politics of Westland. They seem to almost worship politics. One thing in their favour is that the monastery is very austere. The only richness I have seen is in the shrine.
Devlin was effusive in his support as Duke Cullen, although the reasons he gave for his support were obvious fabrications. It is possible he is in the pay of the Duke. I talked to a younger monk while Devlin was arranging an appointment for me with Patriarch Annacks and he was quite frank about his dislike of the Duke. He also mentioned that Annacks supports the search for the crown (and thus supports getting a king) but doesn’t seem interested in any of the current contenders for the title.
I was then shown in to see the Patriarch. His office was very simple as well, although his robes were fine. I suppose fine dress is expected in someone of his importance. He is very old, quite stooped with wispy hair and a white beard. He struck me as being quite honest and concerned with the well being of Westland.
After sending Devlin out, Patriarch Annacks confided in me that the old king actually had two sons; twins. To avoid possible public war one was sent away in secret with the mid-wife. The younger son is possibly still alive somewhere. He was named Tenitar.
Annacks advised me to trance the old king’s path of travel north to the border of Ethengar. He also advised me to stop at the standing stones called the ‘Shrine of the Sky’ that lie along the path. Apparently it is a holy place; indeed it is the place where the first king received the Sorona from the gods.
He said that I could trust Duke Cullen, but that I shouldn’t trust Gregory of Bridgehead and Lars Longfellow. We parted on the best of terms after I promised to do my best to find the Sorona and Tenitar. I transported myself back for the night after having a simple dinner with the monks.
11/7/1030
I Transported Remus and myself to the monastery and we began walking northwards along the trail. Using magic to travel would certainly have been faster but we could well miss things along the way. I told Fadeyka we would be gone for several days. She will Send to me every evening with a report, or notify me immediately if there are any problems. It is good to have such reliable help.
The day passed uneventfully. The walking was enjoyable, although I am not as accustomed to it as once I was. We decided to camp in a tent that we had brought for that purpose. This is almost like a holiday.
12/7/1030
The walk today was pleasant again although I can feel that I am not used to such travel anymore. Near evening we arrived at the Dancing Damsel, a rather fine inn.
Sharing the common room with us at the evening meal were a selection of characters, including two horse merchants and a nobleman and his retinue of men at arms. The noble wanted to talk to us to ask our intentions. He introduced himself as Lars, Count of Darien. I assume that he is the Lars Longfellow that Annacks warned us about. He is truly a long fellow, being a huge man with a vivid red beard. The beard is especially prominent because of the fine green robes he wears over his chain mail. I told him that we are on a pilgrimage to locate the crown, although I pretended to be a bit simpler than I am. He seemed quite interested in this but said little.
The barman, Olaf, did not wish to say anything about the Duke. This is hardly surprising, given the sort of things that can happen to the common folk who get mixed up the affairs of their ‘betters’. His sister Megan, however, was much more informative. She later talked to me in private and told me that the Duke is little better than a bandit who steals in stolen goods and taxes his tenants heavily; perhaps even illegally. Apparently he comes regularly to deal with the two merchants to exchange stolen goods. She also told me that the King was not fighting Ethengarians when he died, but rather the Heldanes.
As we retired to our rooms I decided to spy on the Duke in Pixie form. I was quite surprised to find him and his men leaving quietly. They took their horses with all appearances of stealth so they are probably up to no good. The stable boy was bribed to not say anything.
13/7/1030
After a hearty breakfast Remus and I set out walking again. I was not entirely surprised when we spotted an ambush about an hour’s walk from the Damsel. The duke and his bully boys didn’t waste time talking but lowered lances and charged.
Freyja blessed us. The men seemed skilled, but Remus cut through them like a hurricane. They prevented me from using much magic so I initially defended myself with my new scimitar. I was pleased to note that my wounds seem to be healing rapidly, which seems to be a further property of the Shield. When Remus had cut down large parts of the opposition I managed to Poison the Duke with a touch. The Duke and the last man tried to flee. We ran down the last soldier but the Duke used magic on his horse and sped away like the wind.
We collected the horses of the men at arms and stripped them of their chainmail and broadswords, which were all magical. Five of them also carried potions which were presumably barkskin – we had seen two of the others use these during the battle. We laid out the bodies by the roadside. Presumably they will be found and their families notified.
I Healed Remus and then used several Transport via Plants to ferry the horses and gear to my lands. We then headed out after the Duke, tracking his hasty flight with ease.
It took us several hours of tracking to find the Duke. It seems that my poison was delayed somehow, but eventually killed him. He had five potion bottles, all empty, on his person so he most probably used those in an attempt to fend off death. Although he was a scoundrel we didn’t just wish to leave the corpse so we set up a small pyre and burned him, along with several valuable possessions. We removed his amulet of office first and hung it on a nearby tree. His magical items we kept for our troubles.
After this we went home for the night, not wanting to be connected to the Duke’s death (or disappearance).
14/7/1030
I Tranported Remus and I to a spot near yesterday’s battle and we continued walking. The day passed uneventfully. We again camped by the roadside that evening. I am blessing Rardu each night to give some warning of nighttime attacks.
15/7/1030
Today on our journey we met six pilgrims. I took them to be novice monks. They are journeying to the Shrine of the Sky. I used Divine Abundance to create a good lunch for us all and we parted on good terms. I considered accompanying them but their pace is far slower than hours. Their enthusiasm for the road seems long gone.
16/7/1030
Many interesting things happened today. I hope to be able to do them some justice here.
In the morning we met two soldiers walking along the road. One had a minor wound to the leg that I healed. They are from the garrison at Seaforth. It appears that they were accosted by bandits who stole their horses and swords. After a little discussion we find that two of the horses we took from the Duke’s men at arms match the description of the missing horses. The description of the Duke and men at arms matches the description of the bandits. I use a couple of Transport spells to return the horses to the soldiers. They are very grateful. One of them, Arlson, offers his help if we ever go near Seaforth. They are wearing a red and yellow uniform that I don’t recognise.
Late that day we reached the turn-off to the Shrine. A simple sign says simple “Sky – 3 leagues” and points to a dirt track. At the turn off we encountered a seller of silverware named Curlow in a brightly painted wagon. I don’t think he noticed our natural reaction to the silver on display. He claimed that his daughter, Riva, can tell fortunes.
Both Remus and I had our fortunes told. After some generic adventuring things she told me that I was seeking a crown and that it could be found in a city of evil men; a place called Freeburg. Since this is the capital of the Heldannic Freeholds I would be loath to go there, but I will if it proves necessary. Remus’ fortune was apparently much more generic, dealing mainly with exciting battles.
We arrived at the Shrine in the late afternoon. The standing stones were impressive, being arranged in three circles. The stones are between thirty and forty feet in height. In the centre is a small pool. Beside the stones is a small hut assembled of fieldstones. This hut turned out to be the dwelling place of Gregorian, the Keeper of the Stones. Apparently he is a religious hermit who survives by some hunting and the donation of pilgrims. He had the grippe but that was quickly cured.
He told us about the various tales of how the stones were raised. Some say by the gods themselves, some say by the elves, but Gregorian believes they were raised by ancient humans as some sort of means of measuring stars or some such. Apparently around one hundred years ago the king Gandar the Good received the Sorona here along with a vision asking him to unit Westland. He became the first high king and was later buried in the centre of the circle.
I told him of our mission and he advised me to pray in the stones at either sunrise or sunset. Accordingly I went immediately to the stones and spent the rest of the afternoon in prayer and mediation. As the sun set I thought for a moment that the shadows of two of the stones across the pool seemed to become fang-like peaks, and it seemed to me that the images of trees could be seen around the pool. The image faded with full dark though.
I told Gregorian of my vision and he told me that this could be a vision of a lake near twin peaks to the north and west of here. Tomorrow Remus and I will continue on our walk, but we will turn aside from the path to the north to investigate this lake.
I am still wondering whether Odin intended for me to become involved in all of this. I can only conclude that he did. It is possible that I am reading chance as subtlety, but Odin is the wisest of all gods and no mortal could accurately predict the meaning behind his words.
17/7/1030
We shared breakfast with Gregorian and took our leave. The day passed uneventually. I was involved in thought for much of the day so Remus hunted and frolicked. I have now been given two different directions, one of this lake and one of Freeburg. I rather hope the former is more accurate than the latter since I have no wish to venture into the capital of the Heldannic Knights.
18/7/1030
Today we met a group of riders wearing the same red and yellow uniforms as Arlson and his friend wore. They were led by a gruff captain called Rolf the Seafish. Apparently they are members of the Royal Outriders of Westland. They stopped us to inquire our business so I told them that we are retracing the old king’s steps and are looking for the crown. Unlike the not-at-all lamented Count these soldiers didn’t try to attack us. They didn’t take us very serious either, but I suppose this is only to be expected.
19/7/1030
We left the road and headed into the wild lands leading to the mountains and the lake. We encountered several hostile creatures but they were little more than mild exercise for Remus. The giant dragonfly that attacked us was rather pretty though. A pity.
20/7/1030
This afternoon we came to the lake. The mountains do indeed seem like blood-drenched fangs as the sun sets. The lake is rather big, and I was surprised to see that it contains an island with a black castle on it. I cannot make out any flags, but then it is some two miles away. We decided to rest for the night and head for the castle in the morning.
We had quite a stroke of luck when we went to find a sheltered spot to camp. Someone had found the same spot before us and had hidden a small rowboat there.
21/7/1030
What a day! I don’t recall having been so shocked and frustrated in my life.
It started early in the morning as we rowed across to the castle. A dark shape circled us in the water. Given that the being seems to be thirty or more foot in length I was truly glad that it did not take offence at our presence.
We arrived at the castle. Ogres patrolled the walls and going in through the front would no doubt have erupted into a nasty fight. I scouted the castle in Pixie form and saw a dire shrine room complete with a bloodstained altar through one window. There were four black robed humans in the room, as well as a statue of some minotaur. A glowing dagger was on the altar, most likely the sacrificial weapon.
I buffed Remus and myself at the base of the wall. Remus used a potion of Reduce so he could fit through the arrow slit and I went in Pixie form. When we got in there were only three priests still there, and they died with one Flame Strike. No doubt novices, which would be why they were stuck polishing the statue. Given the altar we didn’t bother to negotiate.
I summoned my wolves and Remus threw open the door going further into the building. Unfortunately the clerics were ready for us. We were greeted by a hail of Holding spells and other magic, including a rather powerful fireball spell. Their magic was shed from my buffing magic as a duck sheds water. Freyja protected us well.
The battle was short and sharp at first. My pack tore through the lesser priests and Remus clove a path through lesser and greater without distinction. My magics were less effective; many of them were protected against fire and they used spells such as Silence to try to slow me down. My pack was rendered useless by a well-timed Protection from Good spell, but by that time their fire protection was wearing out and Remus had wreaked a fearsome toll.
The last priest, one of their leaders, was desperate enough to surround himself with an anti-magic field and to engage me in melee. I again had to draw my scimitar to defend myself, although this time its magic didn’t aid me. The red-robed priest’s mind seemed almost to snap when he saw me still healing in his anti-magic area. He didn’t reckon with my Shield of the Winds. I am rapidly becoming extremely fond of this item. Remus dealt with the other stragglers and chopped this one down as well. He really has become an extremely mighty warrior.
It seems that every priest in the chamber carried magic! It would take too long to loot all of the magical armor so we just took the more accessible items. This still took a long time. I foolishly tried to pick up the dagger that had lain on the altar and it withered my hand into a crippled claw. It did not really hurt but the shock was immense. I finally managed to retrieve the dagger with a Mage Hand cantrip. A Heal didn’t aid my hand and I prayed that some other magic would cure it.
After this battle we roamed the castle, seeking for something of importance. The upper floor was set aside for important business and the personal chamber of what was probably their leader. We recovered a black book marked with a bull’s head as well as a magical quill and other items from this.
On the lower level we found a kitchen and three cooks. They attacked us with their cooking implements. So pitiful were they that even Remus did not have the heard to cut them down; instead he battered them into unconsciousness before they could properly bring their ‘weapons’ to bear. They will be out for some time. We tied them up just in case.
The rest of the lower level of the tower did not reveal much of interest. There was a grand meeting room but little else. We opened a portcullis that led to the keep and went to explore further.
The keep section was home to a group of ogres, two of whom were still patrolling the walls. We waved to them and generally brazened our way through. It appears that they had been given orders to attack anyone coming in through the gate so they assumed that we were supposed to be here. Their stupidity was as immense as their stink.
We found a locked dining room with much silverware and a large chest. There was little else of interest however, apart from a cellar with a good selection of fine alcohol.
Moving back to the tower we investigated the two trap doors that we had found there. One led to water and the other led to a rough-hewn chamber. In this chamber was a massive bronze portal with the words “Death to those who would disturb Gylgarich’s servants!” inscribed above it. Some of the priests were also calling on this being, who I vaguely recall as some minotaur god.
When Remus went to open the doors the two minotaur statues flanking it animated and attacked. I summoned two Shamblers to take some of the beating and Remus made short work of the stone golems. Unfortunately I was affected by some form of slowing magic so we had to wait before proceeding.
Once all this was settled we opened the doors. Beyond was a crypt with ten sarcophagi, four of which were open. At the end was a throne with a being in corroded full plate armor. I sent a Shambler in and started calling of Freyja to blast the Undead that arose to attack it. Several specters and two wraiths were sent, screaming, from this world. The figure on the throne rose but Freyja’s positive energy quickly blasted it into immobility once more.
In one of the open sarcophagi a ring glowed on the finger of one corpse. It took some time to retrieve that without damaging the corpse unduly. At the end, behind the throne, was a smaller minotaur statue holding aloft a box sheathed in lead. Not wanting to open the box and holding no reverence for the deity of this place I had Remus smash the statue’s arms and take the box whole. As Remus approached the statue’s eyes seemed to glow green, but this might have been our imagination since there was no magic present. It might also have been some omen sent by that god to frighten or warn us. The statue was much less intimidating without its arms.
Having all we could carry we left through the front gate, obligingly opened for us by the ogres. Remus rowed us back across – again the dark shape didn’t attack – and we Transported home. I handed the papers I had found to Fadeyka. I then went to see Lady Winnfred of the Lake who graciously agreed to Regenerate my hand. I was extremely relieved when this worked.
I then took Remus back to get the rest of the treasure. Not wishing to deal with the ogres again – I had had enough of their stupidity for one day – I flew up to the arrow slit and threw the armor down to Remus. We then went back. I thought we were done.
Fadeyka, however, asked about the monetary treasure. She said that a group this large must have more than the small change that we found. That made sense so we went back again. Remus was complaining bitterly about all the rowing by this stage so I tried my hand. Perhaps unsurprisingly I did not make as much headway as Remus had. I was not too unhappy therefore to suddenly find myself in the water. The creature had finally surfaced and was attacking our boat with evident fury. It did not bother Remus or myself so we flew over to the island.
Some searching with Fehu located a silver candlestick and then a treasure hidden behind the wall of an upstairs room. Unfortunately neither Remus nor I could find a way to open the door that we knew must be there. We both tried breaking open the wall but had no success. Eventually we gave up, extremely frustrated. We used Wind Walk to get back across the lake and Transported home for the night.
22/7/1030
Bright and early the next day I took some of my miners back to the castle with me. The ogres seem to have been warned against us or have finally figured out we weren’t meant to be here and attacked. I let Remus deal with most of them, contenting myself to use Flame Strike on those sniping with missile weapons. They were all quickly dealt with. Remus seems to have worked off some of yesterday’s frustration.
The miners took several hours to break through the wall. We found the remains of a mechanism that must have opened the door, probably from somewhere nearby. Inside was a small room with four minotaur statues; one gold, one silver, one platinum and one copper. There was also a wooden chest with a good amount of monetary treasure in it. I took the silver and some of the gold and left Remus most of the gold and the platinum. I feel he deserves it.
On returning I took the time to read through the black book we had found. This turned out to be a sort of diary. One very interesting entry spoke of a ‘dead warrior’ who had “come to them frozen”. Apparently the warrior was to serve and his crown was to be kept for the glory of their god. It seems very likely that this refers to the old king. That means the Undead warrior in the crypt might have been him. The lead box did, in fact, turn out to house the Sorona. This is a perfect circlet of gold, set with many thumb-sized rubies and fronted by a star ruby the size of a walnut. When the chest was opened it glowed brightly but not only glimmers faintly with its own light. It is obviously an item of great power.
I Sent to Annacks, informing him of my success. He advised me to use the Sorona to find the heir. It seems he didn’t know how to use it either.
I spent the rest of the day in prayer and meditation. I do not want to approach such a holy item with anger and frustration still inside of me.
23/7/1030
After a brief sleep I rose at dawn for a final prayer before once more opening the box and raising the Sorona. Immediately words poured into my mind.
Heir has a common touch, a gentle soul who lives alone.
He asks for little and gives so much, beneath the sky, beside the stone.
It was immediately obvious that this refers to Gregorian, the Keeper of the Stones. I was happy that such a person should be the rightful king.
Unfortunately when I went to find the Keeper, we found Rolf’s squad of soldiers instead. They tried to arrest me as a Ethengarian spy, but I eventually convinced them of the honesty of my mission by showing them the Sorona. They had been told y Duke Cullen that Remus and I are Ethengarian spies. Apparently two suspicious characters came from the west some time ago, wearing black cloaks and bearing a letter from Duke Cullen allowing their passage.
Captain Rolf wanted to discuss this with his Duke, and I agreed to enter the garrison via a secret entrance he told me of. I was to wait for him to find me in the passage.
Accordingly I went back to get Remus. I tried to reach Gregorian via a Sending and by Scrying but both means failed. I am now quite worried about him.
We found the secret entrance, partially exposed by the evening’s low tide. We swam in and found a passage where we still wait as I am writing this. We are sleeping in turns tonight, anxious that Rolf should come and even more anxious lest this be a trap.
24/7/1030
Another frustrating day. When Rolf didn’t turn up I ended up Shapechanging to explore the garrison castle. Alternating between the forms of a Pixie and a mouse I managed to explore a large part of it. I also managed to overhear a conversation between Duke Cullen and the two black-cloaked people who do indeed appear to be Ethengarians. I saw where they stashed some papers they were poring over so I took one when they left. They appear to be plans for an invasion of Westland by Ethengar. Needless to say I plan to prevent this.
I was not able to get to the entire castle. Getting through a barracks room was too tricky, and another dining room couldn’t be passed either although I managed to find both ways into it. I didn’t find a dungeon or anything approximating one.
I finally had to leave Remus in the secret passage – he was extremely bored which is rather dangerous – to look around outside. I quickly spotted the two Ethengarians riding away in the distance. I flew ahead of them and Entagled them and their horses.
Once again I realised that my magic is not useful for stopping people without killing them. They kept shooting arrows as I tried to Hold them with the Staff of Life. Unfortunately one ended up using some item to escape – apparently he returned home – while I ended up killing the other. The body and his horse I Transported back home.
That night I went in to get Remus. He had moved up the tunnel and killed the giant crab that was there. He wasn’t interested in anything other than eating that so I Transported us home too. I then Sent to Annacks about the situation and Transported myself to Norvick to speak with him.
Patriarch Annacks is very well organised. He took the plan I appropriated and convinced the council to act. They are now getting ready to defend themselves and wish to ask Duke Cullen some rather stern questions.
In order to locate Gregorian (or should I say Tenitar?) I once again took up the Sorona. It gave me another message:
In Seaforth dungeon dark and deep,
Find the man who sails the sea,
For to the King he will take you,
In a dragon ship without a fee.
Obviously I need to head back to the garrison. I think I will return tomorrow – I am extremely tired now – and without Remus this time. I have no wish to test his patience further lest he decide to take on the entire garrison alone.
25/7/1030
I wasn’t able to return to the garrison immediately since the team of investigators was there. It would not have done to be caught snooping around by them.
It turns out that the person that I had thought to be the Duke was in fact one of his soldiers. Apparently he often acts as a double. Enough information was found to damn him, but it is not entirely sure whether the Duke is also guilty. The Duke himself has not been found.
The investigative team had earlier found a journal in the Duke’s chambers. This journal not only proved the writer’s guilt on complicity with the Ethengarians but also implicated him in the slaying of the prince. A later entry mentions that Ala the Sea Witch was asked to get Tenitar from the Stones. This gives me a person to track down.
I also managed to speak to a sea captain who had been locked in the dungeons of Seaforth. This worthy’s name is Thurman, and he is the owner and captain of the Red Raven, a dragon boat docked at the town nearby. Apparently the Duke attempted to commandeer the ship and the good captain resisted and was thrown into the dungeon for his pains. I obtained a writ from Annacks, returning the ship to the captain.
Captain Thurman was willing to take Remus and myself on a hunt for the sea witch. This is partially in gratitude for my help, but I gather mostly in the hopes of getting back at the Duke by ruining his plans.
Ala apparently lives on a keep on the magical island of Narvendul. The island is said to move around at the witch’s command, which is rather spectacular if true. We were told that Ala’s ship, the ‘Sea Witch’, left four to five days ago. I provided some money to the captain for restocking his ship.
26/7/1030
We set out with the morning tide, heading east. I called upon Freyja to guide us to the island, although the captain already knew the rough area in which it is to be found. This way will be slightly quicker.
27/7/1030
In the afternoon we sighted a tower in the distance. It is a square, three-story tower perched on a rock that thrusts up out of the sea. The cliffs ward it well since there is no obvious place to moor a ship. However as we approached I felt a pulse – possibly from the Sorona – and great doors opened in the rock.
The crew were nervous about getting closer to the island so I had them row Remus and myself out. We climbed up to check the main doors but they were locked. Knocking did not receive an answer. The ‘windows’ are magical areas of darkness which it seemed best not to tamper with.
I shapechanged myself into a Pegasus and flew Remus into the opening in the cliffs. Inside were a few dozen lizard men. They were apparently set as guards but were quite reasonable. Instead of attacking they agreed to let us past if Remus could beat one of theirs in an arm-wrestling competition. This he promptly did.
We ascended a spiral staircase to the first floor of the tower. We heard gruff voices but it appeared that the owners had also heard us. Six trolls charged at us, although the narrow corridor prevented them from encircling us. A couple of firestorms later they were charred corpses.
The ground floor seemed to have been meant for the trolls, although on locked store room held decent food.
Climbing another staircase brought us to three warriors in black armor who quoted “You shall not pass” and attacked. They were skilled but could not stand against Remus’ strength and Freyja’s fire. The armor of one of these was shining so it’s probably magical.
We ascended again and found ourselves in a large, round chamber. I spotted something invisible so I cast a True Seeing. This revealed a young woman with a wand and a hound with a reddish coat. I slew the woman with a Finger of Death and Remus made short work of the hound, although it did breathe a gout of fire at us first.
We found Tenitar in an adjoining room. He had been put to sleep by an alchemical mixture. Remus guarded him while I collected the loot from the tower. This included a magical harp, but I couldn’t take the magical throne I found. A shame really, since I think Grey would have liked it.
I found the antidote and woke Tenitar. He seemed a little confused but did remember me as the person who had healed him. We left without a problem and decided to sail directly to Norvick.
1/8/1030
As we came in sight of Norvick a large ship flying the duke’s colors attacked us. We were badly outnumbered and several of our crew were cut down. The enemy soldiers couldn’t stand against Remus though, and I used spells with some success. Eventually other ships came and the fighting ended. Tenitar was wounded, but not badly.
There was much rejoicing. It was decided to rush the crowning and hold it inside one week.
4/8/1030
The Duke has been captured. His fate will be decided by King Tenitar after he has been crowned.
8/8/1030
The crowning went well. Tenitar seemed to get a shock when the crown was placed on his head but apart from that there were no surprises. After the crowning though, I was the one who got the shock.
The newly crowned King Tenitar called me in for a private audience. He told me that the sea witch had possessed his body and planned to take his place as the rule of Westland. It seems she was double-crossing the Duke. I am astounded that I didn’t spot the ruse but it seems that this witch is crafty indeed. I wonder if we will cross paths again.