It’s been months since the events that claimed the city from The Black. The sounds of banging metal erupt from the silence of the early morning. A man is working at a small makeshift blacksmith area. The young man is in simple clothes and his wearing boots and leather gloves. His hammer is of a quality that is well beyond the forge he is using. The red hot piece of metal he is hammering begins to flatten. Satisfied with the length he moves it back to the fire. After a short time he moves the metal back to the anvil. He begins to hammer the metal and shape an edge into a blade. He knows the edge must good as this piece will see a lot of use in the next few months. After another cycle of heating and hammering a place for the handle has taken shape. The man is finishing his work as a voice erupts from the distance.

A woman’s voice rather harsh and serious tone is heard, “Roy, we are leaving.” The young man stops his hammering and inspects the blade. Satisfied that the shovel is formed he takes it and quenches the tool into water. He reaches off to the side and picks up a rather large sword and small backpack. He starts to walk away from the forge before stopping after a few steps. Roy turns back and stares towards the forge for a moment. He pauses and thinks back to those he lost and those he left behind. He turns away and starts moving forward.

I wonder if I made the right choice? Probably not. But neither did Mireya, so at least I’m not alone. And this way, Roy is safe. Safe enough. Perhaps if Mireya didn’t make her decision they’d have been able to find another way to save Roy, but I guess we’ll never know, now.

I wonder who the girl was. I wonder if she thought I was rescuing her. I suppose I did, in a way, anyway, but I can’t help but feel as though I lied to her. Well, maybe not. She won’t be in pain anymore, and won’t be tortured further. One brief pain, at worst, and she was free. Kind of.

I wonder what Lexana will ask of me next. Will she teach me, or just use what I am currently? Will I be able to have any influence on my life, or am I as much a slave now as I would have been otherwise? Will I be able to turn her, or become strong enough to overcome her later?

I wonder if I’ll get to see my friends again. I only just found Kara, and now I may have to lose her again. And Zia will worry if I don’t check in occasionally. I also worry about Aaron, now his wisdom is gone. At least Roy will be fine, I made sure of that. Well, assuming I behave myself. Maybe I’ve doomed us both.

Ultimately, I wonder what caused us to be cursed like this. A quirk of chance? Fate? The gods showing how little they care for us, once again?
I don’t think we’ll ever know. Only have to deal with the consequences.

Aaron sits under a tree in a fenced off yard a small garden rests near the edge of the yard, and a flower patch with a plaque besides that. He is reading through an old and worn journal. With a quill at one side and his pet fox curled up and enjoying the sunlight of a beautiful morning on the other, Aaron takes hold of the quill and turns to an empty page.

A few months have gone by since i have last written in this journal… I used to use it as a means to keep tabs on myself. I have never been one to think before I acted, but this let me reflect on the decisions I had made so I could grow from them. I never told anyone I would reread these when i was awake up on my watches, I knew that by the end they all thought I had a hand in ruining their lives in some way. But they trusted me, they knew I did everything I did for the right reasons however misguided I might have been. And I will always remember that bond of trust I had with all of them.

A lot has changed since those days, I am no longer adventuring, mind you I still have my powers over ice, they have been useful with some of my alchemy, and I have been working on a way to use it to replicate the potion I used to receive these powers in the first place. Truth be told I think that kind of creation is beyond me for the moment, I have a lot of learning to catch up on. Thankfully the shop is up and running again, and with grandmother busy being mayor I have been able to prove to her I can run the shop. It’s been nice having a relaxing life as an alchemist again, and business is going great. I am not sure why some people seem to care, but apparently being a former adventurer a dn of the heroes that saved this city brings up the popularity of your shop. To be honest I wish they wanted my potions because they were of good quality, but I guess I will take what I can get. All of this popularity over being a hero… if they only knew the cost this fame had come at maybe they wouldn’t idolize it so much.

Despite all of the hardships we all had to deal with the past few months, not everything has been bad. I have been seeing Devon since I have been back, He has been good distraction from having lost so much recently, and to be honest, I like having him around.to be honest he has been my rock, and I wouldn’t be here enjoying this garden or maybe life if it weren’t for he, he rescued me. After the funeral I didn’t leave my room for a few days. Not even to eat… he stopped by one day and basically forced me to take him out for the supper I owed him from almost 2 years back. I couldn’t believe he actually remembered, but he snapped me out of my state of mind. Got me realising there is a city here that has so much to offer… and that i have so much to offer it in return. He convinced me to rebuild my home, my shop, and to regain my passion for my craft. I owe him so much, and am so glad to have him in my life.

A faint “Aaron?” can be heard coming from around the house. Aaron looks up and puts the quill down. He doesn’t move, but turns his gaze to a small plaque at the center of a patch of chamomile, and smiles. The plaque reads : “In memory of Mireya, may your struggles and sacrifices never be forgotten”.

A young man comes around the corner “ Aaron, we are about to open! You were supposed to wake me up after you showered!”

Aaron looks at the young man and replies “I am sorry Devon I wanted to get some fresh air, i completely forgot, let’s go open our shop”

With that, the journal is closed. To be stored and never to be written in again. But Aaron is always sure to take it out to remember his time as an adventure. And to never forget everything and everyone he has lost in the process.

He sits upon his throne, made of shadows and bone; content with nothing as he stares out into the hall; cold and empty of life, except the small boy who sat across on the other end in silence. He would stare at the young boy, giving him orders to which he did not respond but only stare.

Time went on, days, weeks and soon months; it did not take long before the silent boy would clear his throat. Surprised the man who sat upon the shadowy throne angrily looked to boy “You will serve me.”

The silent boy only smiled back to him, “You will not defeat me… boy.” The young boy looked at him, after a short pause “I do not want to defeat you.” Taken off guard the man on the throne stood “You will not expel me!” to which the young man replied “I do not want to expel you.”

A moment passed and the man atop the throne looked more angered than before, the large hall filled with an even greater presence as he looked to the young boy.
“Then what!? What do you want… boy.” The man said as he looked to the boy, to which the boy replied with only a smile. Days went by before the man on the throne sat down, as he did the boy spoke on his own “You will sit, and I will stand… I will use you and you will not use me.” The boy smiles to the man on the throne as it crumbles underneath him. Throughout the hall, all that could be heard was the hushed giggle of the young boy.

There is no specific date on the page

Its been awhile since I’ve written anything that isn’t notes. Then again, I wasn’t in the best place for awhile. After the fall of the Black and the deal with the reeds. But I’ve shed enough tears for both. There’s nothing left to say that I haven’t thought of night after night by this point.

I’ll be heading to Baemore soon. I think I’ll stay for awhile and pay Zia a visit this time. She’s lovely company and maybe she has news about her brother. It’ll be awhile before I finish the anatomy and herbalism tome I bought in Baecrest at least, and between the jobs I did in the city and the trip I took tp the arena I have enough funds to let le stay still for a bit. More than a bit honestly, but I loathe to let myself feel too domestic in a single place these days.

So much has changed since I first came to this place. I’ve long stopped comparing it to the feywild and begun to appreciate it as it is. It’s a rather beautiful realm when you really look at it. I’m glad I’ve decided to stay for now.

I can’t say that I’ve discovered some grand purpose or even figured out what direction I want my life to go in. But that’s alright. I’m simply wandering wherever my next whim takes me and learning what I can, meeting new and fascinating people (some of whom I gladly call friends) and helping anyone I can out along the way.

I don’t have the answers I was looking for in the beginning of all this, and I still barely know what I’m even doing. But for now I think I’m happy to stay lost for awhile.

- Solen’Ia A’Darine

Well, this probably isn’t good.

That lich we ran into in the southern Crestwood is back in our lives. According to the Duke she wants to take over the island and set up her own kingdom, and the most efficient way for her to do this is by using undead, so if we’re not careful our homes will be overrun by undead, vampires, ancient deal making magic users and the gods who abandoned us only know what else.

It’s apparently why Roy is getting stalked by the… thing. She apparently wants him as a protector, having proven his worth by defeating it previously.
However, it’s not the only thing she’s after. Apparently as an unaligned magic user, I’m worth something to her as an apprentice. I guess she doesn’t know that I can’t really control it very well.

Still, maybe there’ll be something good we can make from this. If we can convince her to make her island home elsewhere, on a little unpopulated island, maybe? she’ll be happy enough, and I may be able to learn something along the way.
I’m not so sure that Roy will be able to benefit as much from being stalked by her thing, though.

A lich, the source of the curse I have. I have suspected it was her from when we first met. The curse that holds me and binds me to the revanant She is the source. It also appears that Arseni is tied to Lexana as well. She seeks us both, a champion and an apprentice.

But what can be done about that monster. The last time I met her she had me immobilized. All I could muster was to flee. I don’t know if I have the power to face something like that.

It appears our attention now shifts to the Black. Retaking our home is the most important.

Dear Arseni,

I am unsure what exactly compelled me to write this, but I felt like it was necessary.  I was a stranger and an outsider and you sheltered me without any hesitation or doubt.  Few could claim to be so kind and noble.  You and your friends saved my life. You save many lives, and aren’t thanked nearly enough flr it from what I’ve seen.  So thank you.  For everything. 

Forgive me, but I am afraid I told a small lie before.  Whether we survive our assault on the Black or not.  I will not be returning to the Feywilds.  My family knows, and they have accepted it.   If I live I intend to stay with the wood elves for a time, to study and train in hopes of learning more about this gift, and to help in their efforts to rebuild in anyway I can.  I think the time for old predjiduces has long passed, don’t you? 

Whether I live to do that or not, there is one thing I want you to know.  Your group inspired me, but mostly, you did.  You were afraid and you were hesitant, just like me.  I am still afraid, but I will not let it stop me.  It never stopped you.  You showed courage and kindness like I have never seen, and even when you faltered remained a good man. 

You are a good man Arseni.  For all that you doubt, know that is the one thing you never need to.

Farewell,
Solen’Ia A’Darine

This city is forever burned into my mind. It’s beauty and wonder, there is no city like this back home. But those aren’t the things that latch tightly to my mind.

It’s you.

This city was part of the first adventure with you. I invited you along because we needed help with the forest. To your surprise we found a forest unlike any you have experienced before. We seemed so innocent back then. I was keeping an eye on Mireya for Anzo’s sake. And you wanted to keep an eye on me. I wonder what would have happened if I said no to you joining us on that trip. You wouldn’t have crossed paths with Bagoda and maybe you would still be here. I would be able to return home and see you Rowan, but without all our adventures would it be the face I grew to love.

I wish I could ask you for advice. What would have thought of the Bone Mason’s deal? Would you have accepted it? What would make of Aaron’s new sword or the chance at dealing with Bagoda?

I haven’t thought about what happens next too much, I’m struggling to leave you behind.

Twelve Lives. For assistance in helping the elves, twelve lives is nothing. A deal that seems to favor us. We had to kill the drow in the city as the second part of this deal, but that seemed inevitable given our end goal of driving them out. Twelve Lives. It seems unfortunate that Arseni is placed with the task of the killing. He seems less then thrilled by that fact.

The Bone Mason and the City of the Damned. A world and creature that emit death to all who approach, but the power he holds is what we desire. Magic that can fight The Black outside the dealmakers and their rules.

The toad pixies were a surprise. Selfish little creatures, only after the enjoyment of torturing others. The wishes they can grant do nothing to help others. Curious creatures though.

Looking back at it its not just the lives of others we have to offer up. The souls are what the Bone Mason is truly after. We would be damning twelve souls to an eternity of suffering. Makes me feel for Arseni, he is the one that has to do the act. If only there was something I could do to help him with this problem, but its only twelve more

3rd 2nd day, Ches
Well, this went poorly. I’m assuming it’s because of my hesitation and reluctance.
I just wish we’d stop walking into these situations that damn us, time after time.

We were told that if we went and saw the Bone Mason (which I already assumed was going to be a bad idea, just based on his name) he would be willing to do a deal which would see him help us free Dolan’esca. In return, for a year we had to provide one soul to him and condemn it to eternal suffering.

In a worrying trend of events, most people seemed rather on board with this. I was the only dissenting voice. However, it was an all or nothing agreement, either we all agreed or the bargain wasn’t struck. Using the idea of spread blame I wouldn’t be culpable, so in the end I agreed, telling myself it was to not hold back the others.

However, when we’d all agreed, I was the only one marked. A tattoo looking thing is etched into my arm, and I can remove a small dagger from it. I’m to plunge it into the still-living heart of whoever I am to condemn.

I’m not especially happy about it.
But I think, a little of me was hoping we’d have some left over power when the deal was done. Maybe, just maybe, it will remain when my mark is removed, a little something to help us forward. Even the gods who have forsaken us know we need it.

Well, Maybe I was to hasteful like always, Maybe we should have looked for another way… I thought we would all share the burden, I.. I yet again failed when it comes to things i don’t actually understand… And now Arseni has to deal with the consequences of my actions, instead of looking for another way I pushed them that it wouldn’t be that bad… there must have been another way, the fey elves maybe? maybe the black had something had we gone and defeated him first? who knows… What i do know is that I need to end all of this, I need to get that sword to help me control my powers, and I need to end this horrible situation that everyone I care about is living in… and once we clear everything and it all calms down, I need to step away… step away and work on myself, or I think the elves will gladly take me in as a student after i helped liberate their home… at least I can only hope they do…

In the end tho, nothing can remove the mistakes I have made… I just hope i can learn from them…

1st 3rd day, The Melting

I should have said no. I should have been stronger and a lot of other things. Those awful pixies were right. I am pathetic. My own timidity has damned twelve souls and possibly a thirteenth in a good man who had far more courage than I did.

I am so sorry Arseni. If I could relieve your burden I would, but there’s no undoing the past or it’s sins. Feeling sorry for myself when someone else is suffering much worse would be the most pathetic thing I’ve done yet.

Instead I make a promise. I will become stronger, and learn to face my weakness. As hesistant as I am I will not leave just yet. Not until this curse is dealt with. It will not be easy. This group seems to attract awful attention, and it’s strongest will appears to be it’s greatest fool.

But I have no other choice. I promise Arseni, I will repay this wrong, and I will protect you. I will not let your soul be the one that suffers for this.

I feel like I keep repeating everything in these journals, I keep making the same points and show little to no growth… Like yesterday’s battle I felt like I was helping, and maybe I did make it easier… but at what cost? i don’t know, no 1 does. because I can’t remember. I am realising what this woman thing really does. The Duke helped me realise it, honestly a memory here or there doesn’t seem like much, but it ads up, and I am noticing what it is doing to my friends… I am to blame… and I am the only one that can stop it. she has no power over me if i just say NO. she has all the cards. and she has people that I want. but I can’t lose myself, that’s not what mother would have wanted, and it’s not fair to everyone else that is still alive and here… I keep forgetting, that i do have family that rely on me… I have 3 cousins that lost both their parents, just like I did… And Estelle has been taking care of all of us for so long. They are not longer cousins, they are brothers and sisters. they mean everything to me… and to be honest I have been the worst brother… It’s time we finish this, It’s time we end this adventure.

But first, two task must be complete. we must free the elves from the drow, we need them
on our side. and the black must die, or at least leave this area. I want my home to be at peace before i can return. and resume the life I had, learning my trade, and running the shop while grandmother acts as mayor… That is what I want. I might have to ask the elves fora favor after we clear out their city… I hope they won’t mind having a human stay with them for a while once this is all over with…

We headed north to the Arena, we went in search for Sebastian and Marcella. Kara may also be in the Arena, under the Black’s control. We snuck into the Arena and went in search for the targets. We found came across some nobles who mentioned that an arena fight would happen involving an arena fighter and apprentice. We continued our search and found Kara with a necklace that was controlling her. Kara placed another necklace around Marcella’s neck. The fight was moved to the arena where we learned we had to beat Kara. We had to choose to save either Kara or Mercella, and the other would die. The fight turned south when Mireya went down and Aaron made a deal with Bagoda to help our odds. The fight went our way. We were able to overcome Kara and beat her down and save her from the grasp of the Black. As Kara fell unconscious, Marcella’s necklace tightened and took her life. I told Mireya to leave Marcella and to find Sebastian. I followed her out of the Arena with Marcella’s now lifeless body. We borrowed a carriage from the Black and headed back towards Baecrest. I learned of the deal with Bagoda. Upon reaching Baecrest we stopped by our home. We broke the bad news to Mireya’s family and the others. I went to the the Duke’s to have him dispose of the carriage.- I requested his help with Marcella, he said he could not help me.- After talking to the Duke we separated and went our own way home. Arseni and I went to the pub to drink away our problems. I awoke the next day feeling good but with a slight headache.

A Forgotten Time…

I have failed in my promise.  I tried, I did everything I could, but it was not enough. I wanted to help them, but the next part is hastily scratched out

That girl, she was no older than I am, and to die in such a way. Was she afraid? Was she in pain? I’ve tormented myself with these questions over and over again, but none of them have come close to the guilt of asking myself if I could have done more. I had hoped to disable them, but what if one more strike could have made a difference? What if I had worn her down more before fleeing and leaving the burden to Arseni? Would Mireya’s sister, an innocent young girl, be alive?

There is no victory in this. Only the pain and suffering of a family in mourning, and failure and regret of the people who should have saved her. Only that hag knows joy from this outcome. That creature and her malice are frightening. I do not know if I have the stregnth to face down such a creature, even out of my debt to these people.

I doubt many other things as well. Roy asked me if I could handle this. If I could fight and be willing to have blood on my hands. I did not think that blood would be of an innocent when I said yes. I am not sure I was thinking at all in fact.

I know that the real answer is no. I can not do this. I am so sorry, to these people who I made a promise to I can not keep, and to the woman who wasted this power on a weak, lost little girl.

I am truly sorry, but we part with the elves. Where I can not burden people with such important destinies as them.

The previous page lays open as the owner falls into her meditation, only for the words to fade from the page. The ink lifting off in a soft black mist in the moonlight, the owner awakens suddenly confused and looks down to see her journal open on an empty page in her lap. She smiles and reaches for her pack to pull put her pen and write on the same page as before

3rd 6th day, Claw of Sunsets

I can not believe this. We won. We actually won. I am ashamed to admit I had little confidence in this ending well, but somehow we pulled through. Their friend and Mireya’s brother are safe, and all I can think about is the happiness everyone felt when the child and the girl were seen back with us. I played only a small part in that, but yet it feels like the grandest achievment in my life.

Today I feel more satisfied with these last few days than I have with most of my life. These people certainly have strange and dangerous lives, but perhaps it is worth it for these moments alone? Where you may look back and know good has been done.

I have always felt lost, even before being consumed by the techery of the wilds. I wandered through my life without purpose or direction and fought back against the ones others pushed on me simply out of spite. This time I simply did what I thought was right, and I am finally happy with the outcome of a choice I’ve made.

We leave for the elves soon, but I do not think I will stay with them like Roy suggested. There is much of this I have yet to understand still, and I am afraid, but I think in the end I will be alright. I think all of us shall.

Perhaps these people and this place are where I can find myself.

2nd 7th day, Ches

It’s unexpected. Things actually worked out.

Last time things looked like they were going well, we lost Rowan. It was a little touch and go, but we got Kara back without anyone getting severely hurt this time. I’m amazed I’m actually able to sit her watching her as I write this.

We’d had information that she was being held at the arena, so we made our way there to try and free her. With a small distraction, we were able to sneak in the service entry and look around without trouble.

We didn’t find Kara in the barracks where we’d hoped, but instead found her ready and waiting on the sands. She was mind controlled (which is much better than the alternative, and makes much more sense) by a necklace attached to her. It appeared people, or at least Bagoda, had advance warning we were coming, and had set up a little quandary for us. We either had to kill Kara, or she’d kill us. An added sting, Bagoda seemed to aim the barb at me personally, saying that I’d have to kill the one that loved me. A little odd, usually she’d needle Aaron.

However, we must have found a loophole, because we knocked her out instead of killing her outright, and the necklace broke off, leaving her merely unconscious. Bagoda disappeared, those watching disappeared, and we were just left with an unconscious Kara. We loaded her up on a cart, and brought her back to Baecrest.

I hope she wakes up soon. It’s been so long since we’ve spoken, and even longer for her, I guess.

I’m just glad things have worked out, though.

on the paper under the writing, a faint indent can be seen, as though someone wrote on pages above and the pressure left marks on those below

I’m so sorry, Mireya. I know you’ll probably never read my journal, or if you do I’ll already be dead so anything I write here will be meaningless, but please know that I didn’t mean to kill her.

I tried my best. I really did. It probably looked like I was targeting Marcella, but I wasn’t. I really was trying to knock them out at the same time. I thought with everyone else attacking Kara that if anything, it would be her that was decapitated. I don’t know why it wasn’t like that, but I’m so sorry.

I even tried to get revenge on Bagoda, but I wasn’t fast enough. I’m not strong enough. Not good enough.

I’m just, so, so sorry. I never meant to kill your sister. I did everything I could.

I didn’t get to say goodbye. Not properly. Aaron made sure of that.

We navigated through the castle to find the Duke. He agreed to return assuming we could get Bagoda on board. She proved difficult to deal with. She tried to kill us, which was to be expected. I talked to her first. She proved unwilling to work with me as usual. She knows my distaste for her and I know her power. No deal was struck, but I learned of another deal. A deal with Aaron. He went behind my back and tried to bring Rowan back. He forced Mireya into a position to swallow her pride to bring us all home.

His deal to bring back Rowan failed. The Rowan I know and love is gone. What remains is a blank slate. A newborn child who I get to watch grow up as I grow old. She will live a good life but one without me.

We found a fey elf while traveling home. She seemed to wander into this plane due to Bagoda’s meddling taking us home. She seemed lost and confused when she returned to consciousness. And upon talking to the Duke about her fate she holds more to her past then she is letting on. She offered to help us in our mission. Which now that the deal makers are back, seems to be returning to the arena to rescue Mireya’s family.

Well, we’ve been successful.
Sort of.
It doesn’t feel like it.

We’ve gotten the deal makers back into the world, and I kind of feel like The Black was a better option. Bagoda is already being awful, not that I really expected much else.
Firstly, she threatened to take Aaron and Mireya with her from this land of the dead when she left, and leave Roy and myself behind unless Mireya offered her an apology. I don’t know how she choked it out.

Then, as per some deal she’d apparently made with Aaron (He wasted no time getting back to basics with her), she brought Rowan back as well. Alive, unharmed. Apparently unborn. Well, new born. We emerged into some cave, and with us was Randall Tallstag, and “Donnagoda,” who was giving birth to a young red-haired girl, who Randall named Rowan. Always a bloody loophole.

We left, and went to Baecrest. With Baemore still under the control of The Black, we figured it best to check in on the Duke, Estelle and others.
He was happily home, but let us know that by being back he’d re-established some of his control, what was left to do was up to us, and we’d have to deal with The Black the old fashioned way.

Thus, we’re off to find the Black, and resort to violence. It’s what we do well, I guess.

3rd 2nd day, Claw of Storms

I am so confused.  This place, the mortal plane they call it in their tongue, holds no familarity for me.  It is hard to describe; but everything seems dimmer?  As if all of the color and light in the world were drained to half of their normal glory. I do not like it.

I am alone with only four strangers to guide me. They seem kind enough so far and two of them are like me, but I know nothing of them besides that and their names. Perhaps volunteering to follow them into danger was not wise, but Mireya was kind to me and healed me. I felt I needed to do something to repay that. I know even less of their situation than I do of them aside from what they’ve told me. How accurate is even that much though? Still I agreed to help, despite having never fought a single battle in my life, out of gratitude and to prove they need not abandon me somewhere later on. I hate this helpessness and dependence. There’s not even the option of seeking a way home to escape it. Not as long as the wolf hunts me. The duke has made that clear.

I do not want to die, but I do not wish to live stuck as an outsider in a foreign world either. Few have ever cared about what I want out of life though, I suppose it should be no surprise fate is not any different.

Well, recently I wrote that I needed to find ways to stop dying.
I am not off to a good start.

The difference is, this time it wasn’t quite as unexpected as usual. We were told we needed to make a potion in the alchemists lab, as previously mentioned, and we’d have a chance to go to another dimension to free the dealmakers, as awful as that concept is, but it was apparently the best way to go.

Personally, I’m not sure that the Black is bad enough to release Bagoda even if we didn’t have to die for it, but nevermind.

When we arrived on the other side we weren’t alone. Rowan was there, but seemingly without her memories. We took her with us, as we looked for our way forward. Hopefully we can help her, if not retrieve her.

We made our way down the river along a boat, with a minor detour to obtain tribute for access and a delay as we encountered the man who previously warned us of an ambush, and we’d ignored. Apparently we’d soon encounter two people, one a friend, the other a foe. Thus, when we came to a village, we were on guard. It looked mostly empty, except for a child who wanted friends, as his had all gone missing.

We dropped our guard.

It turned out his friends he wanted us to play with are pumpkin headed horrors and he was a fire demon. We dispatched them, but it was frustrating. We need to start listening to him, apparently.
Back tracking to the town, we discovered a man drinking inside the pub. He explained he was a shaman who was on some kind of spiritual journey, and had gotten stuck here. Apparently this village was where people who made deals with the deal makers serve penance, but with the fire demon around it had become an empty horror.
He also knew where the deal makers reside, so we’re soon off to catch up with them.

This wild ride seemingly has no end, and I don’t especially enjoy it.

I… I have discovered something while being in this world. I Have discovered that I need to learn to let go… Death is not the end, Rowan is proof of that. She is here, well her shell is at least. She is still as kind as ever, but her memories are gone… To be quite honest she looks like Bagoda got a hold of her and took what made Rowan, Rowan… I am starting to realise how trading memories is a dangerous game, even more so than I did before. I am thankful that my most recent request was for a task, and not something personal that I might have deemed unimportant…

Rowan, after seeing you how you are, I might request you not be revived… Everyone has said their peace with you, we have an ending… If it was your time, than so be it… I… I would feel terrible if you came back as a shell of a person… It would ruin any chance Roy would have at moving on. and as much as I care for you I Don’t want to risk the people that are still alive.

Maybe this is the potion working on me, have I just grown colder to people? I feel like in the past I would blindly seek to bring her back if i could, but here I am second guessing that decision… Is this a new found wisdom… or am I… Changing…

On the subject of change, I feel this weird shift inside me. Like the ice isn’t settling… I am not quite sure but maybe something is missing… Maybe i am not strong enough to control it? I wouldn’t know what to do, maybe grandmother can help once we get this whole situation delt with… to be honest I worry I might not have a full party to travel with if my request backfires… or a party at all…

13th of Flamerule,

I write this entry with quivering hands.  My final destiny lies before me, and I march towards it with anticipation.  For soon my blade shall taste the blood lf the vial creature that has slain my kin.  I will have my vengeance.

I have ventured mountains and forest alike .  Slain every manner of beast from a simple wolf, to decrepid corpses.  And have not once faltered in my cause.  For that is not the heroes way.  This legacy shall be my greatest achievment, tp be remembered generations from now.

I go towards my glory and await the chance to record my deeds yet again.

- Reia Vasarius

The Next Page

Date Unknown,

Oh my.  Well they certainly were a dramatic one weren’t they?  I’m not quite sure who this Reia is or what they were seeking, but I can only assume they unfortunately did not suceed and are in fact the skeleton I found this tome and khol on.  Such a shame, they seemed alright, if not a bit dour. I would not have ripped out the other pages before that last one but they appeared to have had large amounts of dried blood on them. 

Well I hope you rest well miss Vasarius with your bones now burried, and that you do not mind me taking your pack and the journal and gems that were inside of it.  I do not like the idea of pilfering a corpse, but supplies are rare out here.

I guess this will be my journal from now on.  Where to start?  Firstly, my name is Solyn’ia.  Though most simply call me Ia.  I am from Aelin-Uial Allanar, but currently reside in an unknown part of the Feywilds. 

Sadly I am not some bold adventurer like this books predecessor, nor do I have some grande purpose for being here.  I simply happen to be very lost and have been for I assume several months now.  In truth I’ve never fought a day in my life.  The feywilds are just not a wise choice for storming off into. 

I do not know where to go next, or have any semblence of how to get back.  What I do know is I must keep trying at least.  The way I left things back home were not ideal, and I would hate for that to be my parents final memory of me.  So I suppose I’ll end my rest here and keep going for a few more hours.  I have been thinking of looking into a cave I found the other day. 

I’ve watched it and nothing seems to come in or out of it, nor does any noise happen during any hour.  Perhap’s I’ll find more salt portions to dry a few berries put with, or at least a safe nights rest in there. 

It’s strange, but it almost feels like something calling out to me to go inside and look.  As if I’m supposed to.  Maybe I have begun to go mad and am imagining it.  Or am being lured in by some sort of charm weilding fey creature.  Neither bodes well so I hope not. 

If I am however then I would ask whoever finds this to please bury any remains that were found near it.  And feel free to keep the journal and anything else on my person.  Clearly I will no longer be needing it.

“We will make it through this”

Those were the last words I spoke to you. I failed to protect you. Seeing you in this form now it hurts more then anything. I want to tell you so many things, but the words don’t come out. Seeing you again without your memories is torture beyond belief. You are before me once more, but I can’t reach you. I failed. So no matter the cost I’ll protect you once more. I’ll deliver you to your next destination.

This river that lays before us, I will guide you through. I will earn you passage past the Sphynx and the Dragon. No gate will stand in my way. I will solve the riddles and I will offer everything that I have to get you through. I will deal with anything that stands in my way, whether it be a demon child an its minions or the monsters that lurk in this land. I will find the way and take you there. I will confront the deal makers and find the exit to this land.

I will overcome anymore obstacles that stand in my way. I will give everything to keep you safe once more. And then I will do the hardest thing of all. More difficult then dealing with Bagoda more painful then the Lich, more destructive then The Black. I will say, “Goodbye”

I don’t have much to say… we are headed for another lab, and to find out if I made a horrible mistake, or if we really will be reunited with Rowan… I pray for the second option. To be honest I never know what to expect, especially after what I found out about her relations with my family… I probably shouldn’t have gone back there.. or even had the idea to… but I can’t help but feel like it was our only option.. she vanished. with no leads… they discovered nothing on their scouting mission either.

I fear the worst is yet to come.. who knows what we will find in this lab, if it truly is untouched I can only guess what will be inside… it might be worse than any drow we have faced before… as hard as that is to believe…

On a different note, I feel much stronger now. at least compared to dieing… The potion seems to have worked, but i can’t help but feel like something is missing… like i haven;t tapped into everything i am capable of. I guess i just need to give it time, this is all new to me I can’t expect to understand it all immediately.

I figured out I was royalty, or as close as I can get. My father is a duke or something like that. He took control of Castow and is apparently looking for mother to try to bring her back. The look on my face when I found out was probably quite funny. A woman named Marsha found us and was looking for my mother. Her and her apprentice Kathyrn work for my “father.” Kathryn seems rather harsh at times, I don’t think she is always like that. It must be because she has been in high society all her life. I dread the day if I ever have to appear as one of them.

I worry about Mireya and her child. They are now involved in the mess of this family. That child is considered royalty and potentially a threat to others. It makes finding him all that more important.

We went looking for you. I tried. I really did. I didn’t want to give up, but I was putting the others in risk. I just know you are out there somewhere. I need to see you again, to know the truth. My only hope at this point is mother. I know the two of you have not seen eye to eye, but at this point I don’t have anyone to turn to for help.

Which means we need to delve into another alchemist lab. They hold the key to returning the deal makers. With them back we can keep The Black in check. Then we can find mother, and then you.

-Roy

3rd 1st day, Ches

Well, we’re on our way back to the forest, it seems. Well, the lab north of the forest, anyway. I’d rather go around the forest than through, given what we ran into last time. At least we won’t be alone, this time, though.

While we were in Baecrest we heard rumours of someone looking for Estelle. We assumed it was someone working for the Black, so went to find out more about it, but instead discovered it was someone from the King’s court. She brought information that the King was wanting Roy’s mother back at court, because he wants his ex-wife back there.
This came as a bit of a fireball trap, really, especially for Roy, given he just discovered he’s royalty. I wonder if we’ll be able to use this to our advantage later. Probably not, especially if we don’t manage to recover Ms Marsk.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that. While we were doing our daring jail break, we left her at the Shrine of Obit Hai, which we thought wouldn’t be a problem. However, by the time we got back there we discovered that it had been taken over by men belonging to the Black. This has left us in a bit of a bind, as we have no idea where she even is.

So, we’re back to taking down the Black, which leaves us with going through one of the labs belonging to the Alchemist. Again. Which brings me back to the start, where we’ve at least got help for this. The person looking for Ms Marsk didn’t come alone, she brought a student of hers, who happens to be Kalebs sister. I didn’t even know he had one.
She’s a bit uppity, but getting covered in goop and gore will probably bring her down fairly soon. I hope so, anyway.

2nd 4th day, Ches

Rowan is gone. Another one left behind.
Well, maybe. We don’t know what happened to her.

Everything was actually going well, for once. We’d managed to free Estelle, Ander and Kaleb. Roy was hurt, but everyone was on their feet, and the enemy were falling. Mireya was holding her own, Estelle is apparently really scary, I was untouched, and Rowan was safely off in a building, and then… I don’t know if they had a bomb, or if it was some kind of spell caster letting fly or… All I know is the building half disappeared. Not disappeared, exploded outwards. Is it possible to store arcane energy so that it can be used later, maybe? I don’t know.

When we were able to get over there, there was almost no trace. Digging through the rubble, Roy found a bowstring, and that’s about it. Given what we’ve seen of magic, it’s possible she’s been taken away to who knows where.

Rowan, if you’re out there, we’ll find you.
If you’re not, well, Mireya can bring people back from the dead. Maybe we can do the same for you.

She can’t be… She can’t be… How could this have happened… We planned. We made sure she was out of the way with her condition from the fight in the sewers… I saw the 2 arrows shoot before the explosion happened. I don’t understand What could have caused it.

I feel so helpless in this situation, and guilty that she of all people, was the one to die… She was kind, innocent… She just wanted an adventure, and we warned her not to come. We told her it was dangerous… Does this really have to be the end? Is she really gone? Did she get transported to another plane like we did? did she die and her body didn’t survive the blast? did we just miss the body in the rubble? I wish we had any form of answer…

Is there nothing I can do? Can I not help Roy survive this in anyway? I can’t bring her back… Mireya can’t either without a body. I am starting to realise how the magic of us mortals is limited…

Honestly maybe it’s time i take things into my own hands… Take the bad cards we have been dealt and flip them into benefiting us for a change…