8/16/2020 – Game 0/1, The First Job
I had been traveling with the others for nearly two weeks but had not learned much about them other than they were on a similar path as my own. We were heading to The Den, the headquarters of the Band of the Black Wolf. Rumors suggested they were a tough if not large organization and they had some heart, not just taking any job that came their way. My hope is that they will either have some members versed in the arcane arts that will be willing to help me advance my own skills, or that whatever adventures I find myself part of will lead to the discovery of some artifacts of power or grimoires of spells to further my own knowledge.
…
“Bring me an apple.” It seemed a simple task. A place this large obviously had foodstuffs and provisions for the couple hundred or so souls that likely called the area around The Den home. There had to be some fruits somewhere. I surmised that a kitchen would have a chimney attached and a quick look around for some smoke lead me into The Den, where a question to a passing person pointed in the right direction.
Pholicifer, the musician in the making, took to the task with an energy above and beyond what he had shown on the journey here. Even with my bit of a head start, we both made it to the kitchens in step with each other. It appeared apple pies were on the menu, so we were in luck. The object of our quest sat in a bowl amongst some cook peeling and rolling out dough. Our initial inquiries were rebuffed and magics and subterfuge were necessary to win the prize. A quick cantrip to suggest the smell of a burning pastry was enough of a distraction to allow Lici to palm one of the apples and create a small illusion in its place to momentarily avoid discovery.
Jared, the leader of The Band, was pleased with our success. The other members of our group, Squanch and Cesalie, had tried to find an apple tree out amongst a grove within the walls surrounding The Den, but had not had any luck. The stories they told of the strange men they had met on their brief excursion were quite remarkable. The Band of the Black Wolf was home to some true mysteries. Perhaps one of them would be able to assist in my own journey along the paths of magic.
…
What an odd, yet not unpleasant experience. One might not think that a simple mid-day meal could provide such entertainment. And I doubt very much that anyone from home would have anticipated I’d have had a hand in it. It was much more akin to a good tavern romp than a formal meal with an ensemble of stringed instruments and pipes. Lici had drawn quite a bit of attention all by himself and a word or two of power to bring forth smoke, lights, and vague images through my ties to the weave only added to the spectacle. My masters in Lollen’del would have scoffed at the notion of such parlor tricks used to enhance an impromptu performance in the shabby great hall of a mercenary band. But just thinking of it again brings a smile to my face. Even the most dedicated of practitioners could use the experience of improvisation. And there is nothing wrong with having a little fun now and then.
…
Wolves. Wolves and bandits. Our first job with the Band, to deliver a small box safely to an unknown contact, nearly ended in disaster. Poor Cesalie will have some scars to show for it, too. My magic wasn’t strong enough to eliminate the threats. It helped no doubt, but even my strongest battle magics only wounded a portion of the beasts and men. The group held their own against the superior numbers, but we did not succeed unscathed. Vanguard, true to his word and orders, remained an observer in the conflicts.
With the delivery of our charge, which turned out to be wands, we had completed our task. And as quick as that, we had another job lined up. Sebastian Valdez, the man who took delivery of the wands and offered a means of healing in addition to the pay from the Band, had work for us. The task, albeit vague, seemed something we were up to accomplishing. Valdez wanted us to travel into the lands of Canthan and report anything unusual. He gave us a means of contacting him through a sending stone. And so, we find ourselves without Vanguard and heading to the nearby town of Lundy to see what we can see.
…
Other Thoughts
Vanguard is a mystery. He must see the world in a different way and his head is likely filled with alien thoughts. Is it his work with magic that has put him in such a state? His bearing and the artifacts about his body suggest he has power and familiarity with the weave. I’ll have to see if he would share some of his knowledge with me, even if only to try and safeguard my own mind from whatever might have afflicted him. Perhaps he can help me find away to strengthen my own spells or teach me new ones that are more powerful.
And those wands that we delivered…where did they come from? Items like that could surely help me, especially in situations where my own magics were exhausted. Were they found by the Band in some treasure trove? Could there be more? Are they in contact with some artificer that can create such objects? Is it someone at The Den? Could I become capable of crafting such things as my power grows?
With the coins gathered from these jobs I should be able to start on my traveling spell book. With the promise of room and board at The Den, it would be wise to keep my spell book stored there and keep a copy with me on my journeys. All sorts of dangers such as inclement weather or thieves could deprive me of the knowledge I’ve worked hard to gain so far, if I’m not careful. Something durable, I should think. Perhaps I’ll use the piece of starbirch I brought with me from the forests of Lollen’del. It has served as my arcane focus thus far. Inscribing it with the proper runes and glyphs should serve as an adequate device for remembering my spells. I could even start carving it while we make our way through Kanthan and infuse it with the proper treatments when the supplies become available.
10/11/2020 – Game 2, To Lundy and Beyond
By all the gods above, what has become of us? When I left the forest seeking magics and knowledge to advance myself in the art, I never once imagined I’d be on the astral plane mere months from taking those first steps of my journey. How could things have moved so quickly and in such far strides and jarring turns? Perhaps my mind is broken from the interactions of the last couple days, but I should try to capture some thoughts.
After taking on the task from Sebastian, Lici and I made our way toward the village of Lundy. Not too far from the small town we encountered another pair on the road turning in our same direction. A fairly friendly dwarf made himself known as Dorin Copperbrew, though he accepts Copper or even Cop in more informal conversation. He has a predilection for crafting drink and food it seems. A handy skill to be sure. His traveling companion was a bit more of a mystery, cloaked in dark fabric and a pale mask. He introduced himself as Holden. At first glance he had me thinking he might have been some spirit made corporeal or perhaps an actor playing the role of a hidden tormenter from a Durinian play. The coming days would see us far from any stage or play acting as true tragedies were made manifest. The two did not seem to have a set agenda and we availed each other of our company for mutual protection while sharing the road.
Our time in Lundy was brief, likely best for all involved. Our few interactions with the locals were infused with a tone of malcontent. I did my best to smooth over contact with the theocratical leader of the town, a deacon, but we were hurried along. Luckily, our group was able to find a lead on oddities in the area from one of the village men that was set to keep an eye on us. I was not totally unaccustomed to the stares of the human folk, as elves do not travel all the lands of men in great numbers; however, I had never experienced it as inundated with apprehension, fear, and malice as I did in Lundy.
Rumors of missing folk and animals from farms near Lundy and Blithe, led us to the Stonegate forest. Sightings of unusual things near the forest’s edge at dusk had led us to enter the wooded lands as the day’s light fell. A stroll under the branches and stars can be a beautiful and serene experience. This was not be the case for the four of us. An uneasiness filled the air. Movement at the edge of our sight had Holden calling forth light to reveal what was around us and with a terrifying scream we were set upon by…children. Children twisted with some vile form of the art, but children none the less. Red colored striations in their flesh emboldened as they attacked with hands turned to claws. We were able to subdue our attackers, but not without extinguishing the life from a few. In an unfortunate loss while trying to find the source of the red veins in their flesh, I slew one of the younglings. While human life is fleeting at best, I feel sorry for the adolescent my hand felled.
After tying up the remaining infected children, we moved further down the path and came upon the remains of an old temple in a clearing. The upper reaches of the temple seemed to have been struck by a heavy blow and had fallen about the place. Some form of arcane rite that we determined later to have the smell of necromancy about it was underway. An elf, skin also covered in the red living markings, knelt within a circle of painted glyphs with more tainted children encircling it. Two human adults lay on the edge of the magic circle as well and as we approached they rose up in defense of the area. In the end, the elf lay dead along with another handful of villagers. As the elf fell his spell, which had enhanced and entranced the locals, also fell and they returned to their senses, exhausted. The battle was not easily won, and we too took our share of wounds. Thankfully, both of the additions to the party knew a bit of healing magics.
In the aftermath of the battle, it was noticed that whatever struck the temple carried on past it and dug a furrow into the ground. It was as if some titanic rock from the heavens came crashing down at an angle. At the end of the furrowed ground was a boat, seemingly grown whole as if of elven craftsmanship. Investigations, both arcane and mundane, found the four of us along with the boat transported fully to the Astral plane. Reeling from the abrupt journey, the party found itself amongst the detritus of a, naval if we had been upon a sea, battle. Bits of wreckage and bodies floated about the silver-gray clouds forming the area we inhabited. One larger vessel seemed relatively untouched by whatever combat had taken place, though no survivors were found onboard. Taking the chance on some more elbow room, we searched through the ship finding some provisions. Copper took it upon himself to make a meal, and we all sat down to eat, rest, and think about what had transpired over the last day and what might happen in the days to come. Would the children saved from the mind altering magics make their way home safely? Would they carry stories of being saved by our motley crew, or only know that we were somehow involved with the deaths of their kinfolk? Would we be able to return home? Was there something out there beyond our sight ready to do to us what had happened to the other slain crews and ships? Would we be able to discover how to operate this ship and maybe travel somewhere safe?
I left my home yearning to find knowledge and artifacts that would allow me greater and more expedient access to the magics to which I have devoted myself. I certainly never expected to experience such levels as I find currently in my presence in decades if not centuries after leaving Lollen’del. It would be a shame if I didn’t get the chance to unravel these new mysteries of the art before me. I’m sitting on a vessel powered by arcane arts that can apparently travel the astral plane and maybe even between planes. I’ve often heard to be careful what one wishes for. Perhaps I have learned that lesson all too soon.