3. Crays Journal

Crays Journal

  • C

    My name is Cray, I've been staying in Spellweaver Keep with my master, Lord Volkman, for a little over a year now.
    I'm starting this journal because today is the day that Lord Volkman promised to teach me how to cast cantrips.
    Simple cantrips is what he calls them simple or not, im not going to mess this up.

    I'm both nervous and excited at the same time, Ive studied piles on piles of books and now i get a chance to make him proud.
    Its almost time to go, this spell book Lord Volkman gave me a few days ago is empty now, but just wait. One day it will be full of all sorts of spells.
    From simple cantrips to the most powerfull, i want to know them all, then he'll have to be proud of me.

  • C

    I used the word, I had to, to save Radriel. A man, in black armor, met me at the south gates. He had told me, that he had a message to deliver, and asked if I had seen a young man named Cray. I did not want to answer, I had wanted to get away. But he asked, if the inn would be a good place to find this Cray, so I had told him, his guess was a good one. It was no lie, the inn would be a great place to find me.

    Then, after I had answered, Radriel came running through the gates. It gave me reasonable cause to get away from there, away from the man in black armor. So I ran, and she ran after me, just laughing. We had run all the way to the lake, so I turned and hid behind some of the low stone walls. After explaining to Radriel why I had run, and what was going on, we had both decided to stay there untill we caught our breaths, then practice in the woods for a time. Hopefully giving the man in black enough time to leave Norwick.

    We were not so lucky. He had found us, and did not look all to happy at my deception. He asked if I was Cray, there was no point in lying now, so I told him that I was. He then asked for proof, mentioning the ring. So, I had pulled out the box and told him that it was inside. That was still not good enough, so I said the word, felt the pain as always, and pulled out the ring.

    About that time, he had drawn his blade, and Radriel, had told me to run, before firing an arrow at him. He cursed her, pulling out a bow of his own, and shot at her. They had a short arrow for arrow fight, but one of his hit hard, and Radriel fell to the ground, bleeding.. Seeing that, seeing the man.. I had no idea what came over me. Great rage? Anger? I am not sure, but in an instant, I had shouted out the word ~Morgrath~. As I said the word, I felt a dark energy quickly swirling about me, around my whole body. And then, just as quickly, the energy shot out towards him, striking him dead center in the chest. He scrambled back, clutching a hand to his chest in pain. It was not enough to stop this assassin, but it was enough to give me time to summon my guardian.

    The man stepped back in fear, seeing my dog, as many others have when they see it for the first time. I had told him, to speak his message, which he did. He said, that his message was from Lord of Bloodspear, something along the lines of, it being a shame, that he could not have met me in person. After finishing the message, the assassin then said, Now he is suposed to take my head, so he had drawn his blade. One simple command, two simple words "Kill him" was all I said, and my guardian ripped the man limb from limb, through plate armor.

    After I was certain he was dead, I rushed over to Radriels side. She was hurt, badly, but luckily, days before, Sir Gemli had givin me quite a powerfull healing potion. I turned her over, holding her head up, she was barely breathing, barely awake. I put the bottle to her lips, pouring in little by little, allowing her to drink. She had swallowed some of it, and choked on more than half the bottle. But it was enough to stop the worst of the bleeding, so I helped her stand, and we started walking back to Norwick.

    Along the road, we had met with the druids, Sir Oreth, Miss Belia, and three others I have not met. They were more than happy to heal us, and escort us back to Norwick. Telling them about what had happened, we made it safely to Norwick. Radriel and I thanked them for their help, and made our way to the keep, where yet, another danger met us.

    We were right outside the keeps gates, when a rather large bolt of lighting struck the ground in the feilds not far away. I had went to go put the fire out, thinking it a force of nature and nothing more. Untill, rising from the flames, was this rather large fire elemental. It came towards us slowly, Radriel had opened the gates as I asked its reason of being here.

    It did not respond, it just walked towards me, slowly. I had hit it with a frost spell, and Radriel grabbed me by the waist, pulling me inside. There we hid, in the safety of the keep, untill the golem began to walk towards the door. Radriel followed it, and told me to wait inside. As I went outside, I saw the golem fighting with the fire elemental. They were both heavily damaged, the fire elemental barely glowing, its embers almost out, small puffs of fire was all that swirled about it. Our Golem, was more than half melted, but faught on. With one massive swing of its right arm, it had crushed the fire elemental. The danger gone, we went back inside.

    The golem took its post again, Radriel and I spending the rest of the day, talking, and reading books, in the safety of the keep.

  • C

    ~Morgrath~ It is darkspeech, it is powerfull, and, it scares me.

    I had began my meditation, and the room became dark, before me stood the shadowy figure of Lord Volkman. Like before, he started speaking. He still seemed to be trying to tell me something, trying to teach me something, but all that he said, I could not understand a single word.

    As he finished speaking, I was back in my room, somehow, I knew more about the word ~Morgrath~. It can be used to ward away enemies, and to protect whoever uses the word. But, if it is invoked upon a person, it will cause them great pain, to repell them away.

    This word, it is dark, and I feel, somehow wrong, everytime I have had to use it. I must be more carefull with this word, it is more than just a word now.

  • C

    Answers, that is all I want now. Answers to all this. But it seems so futile, everytime I get the answers I seek, it only leads to more and more confusing questions. It is starting to become very frusterating, to say the least.

    But, as a short version as to what has happened so far. On a fishing trip with sir Andrew, I had a visit by a good friend of mine, one that I have not seen in a long time. Her name is Radreil, and, from what sir Andrew has said, her heart is dark. But I believe she wishes to change, or so she has said to sir Andrew.

    After the fishing trip, sir Andrew and I walked back to Norwick, but as we arived, the headmistress told me, that I was in danger, and it was the Thayans, again. She then sent me home with an escort, by a man whos name still to this day escapes me, and sir Andrew. Shortly after we had made it into the keep, sir Andrew left, to go see what was going on, and a long while later, the headmistress walked through the doors. She had told us, that sir Harion had went to speak with chancellor Dwin, on what was going on, but fearing for my safety, wanted me in the keep.

    There we waited, and sir Reilash entered, as we talked with him, the headmistress said she was going out to try and find sir Harion again, so she did, and we waited, for what seemed like forever. I had hoped that the headmistress and sir Harion would walk through the doors and tell me everything that was going on. Which they did, but oddly enough, a group was with them, Aramuil, sir Andrew, chancellor Dwin, and this other man, who speaks rather strange.

    Aramuil, seemed very strange, and then started askimg me questions, and rambling, on and on, saying he had figured it all out. I had to ask him to calm down and to make sense, so he tried. Most of what he said, we had already guessed on. About Lord Volkman being my father, and April being my mother. But what he said after, troubles me, he told me, that I could be, half elestial, half devil, human, or a combination of the of any of the three. Everyone has said that Lord Volkman was a devil, it hard to believe, even still. But also that April, my mother? was a celestial, that is also hard to believe. But it could be true, I have no idea who my real parrents were, I cannot remember them for the life of me.

    I did not push the question of my suposed parrents, sir Harion stated that I was still in danger. His preist still wants me dead, as I am appearently a born ruler to the lands of Thay, and a threat to his fathers power there. If I were to ever become a red wizard anyway. I was asked the question, and I gave it thought. But it is not the life I wish to live, so the answer is no. Even though I have no interest in sir Harions fathers rule, as long as I am alive, I am still a threat, and one that he will not let live. Ideas were thrown about the room, some of giving them the heart that we found, saying it is my heart, but turns out the heart was that of a troll, so it would not work. Cutting off my hand, and growing it back after, was another idea, saying it was all that was left of the body. This idea, I am not fond of, but I will go through with it if I must.

    By my leave, Sir Harion left, and is now trying to give us time to think and plan on what our next course of action is, Chancellor Dwin left with him. So the room become somewhat quiet, Aramuil speaking with the headmistress about this book, or this item. I needed time to think, and rest, so I left for my room.

    I somewhat know who I am now, I cannot be one hundred percent sure, but, from the way things seem, I am Cray Volkman, son of Lord Silus Volkman, and April. I must speak with April soon, perhaps, my.. mother, can answer my questions.

    Who I am, seems of so little importance now.. celestial? devil? human? What am I?

  • C

    So much has happened, so quickly. I have to begin somewhere, but where did this all begin? When did this all start? This will have to do..

    Daily, I go to pass by Norwick, to practice my spells out in the feilds, I figure, the undead and rats need to be removed anyway, and it is good practice. But today was different. As always, I enjoy sitting around the fire, listening to stories, and talking of all the strange happenings that go on. But this time, Ronan asked to speak with me, so we left the fires and entered the Grapevine. There, he told me that there were people after me, people from the lands of Thay. He warned me, that if they were to ever approach me, to avoid them, specially their leader.

    With his warning in mind, I went for my daily practice. When I returned, Norwick was busy it seemed, many people gathered around the fire, while a group of two men,and one woman, one carrying a glowing sword, went south. I was curious, so I followed. Unfortunately, we came face to face with a scouting group of a goblin attack. We faught them off, and retreated back to Norwick.

    When we made it back inside of the gates, a large group was leaving, traveling north, to fend off a hobgoblin attack. While a smaller group stayed and faught off the goblins from the south. It was there by the south gates, where I came face to face with the Thayan, Haroin. He introduced himself, and asked for my name, luck was on my side, as a large group of goblins attacked from the south, so I made my escape, as Aramuil pulled Haroin north, to help the defenders fend off the hobgoblins.

    I tried to find Ronan, for help, but he was north helping to fend off the hobgoblins. I did not know what to do, with both Ronan and the Thayan leader north, I could not go and find one, without attracting the attention of the other. Or so I thought, untill I saw the Thayan Leader running down the road, holding a bleeding wound. With that I made my way north, to find Ronan, but when I made it up to the gates, I learned that Ronan just left south. I supose that is what I get for taking the back road, so I hurried my way back south.

    As I made it closer to the fire, I saw Ronan, with Thayans for company, so I hid myself behind a building, and peeked around to get a better look.
    He was traveling south with them. As soon as I saw they way was clear, I made my way closer to the road, to the Headmistress, and Reilash. After telling both Myeil and Reilash what had happened, and what I knew, we thought it best I stay home at the keep, untill this is all sorted out. With Reilash as my guard, we walked back home, and talked for a long while.
    Talk was becoming dull, so we decided to go outside, for crossbow training. As we opened the door, there the headmistress stood.

    We talked a little on what had happened, and what was going on, unfortunately, I could not tell her what I did not know, so she asked me how my studies were progressing, and gave me advice on controlling summons, untill, he walked in the gates. The Thayan leader, Haroin, sword drawn and at the ready. Reilash was quick to order me inside, so inside I went, and waited, for what seemed like forever. The gates opened up, Reilash and Myeil walked in, along with another man that I have seen in norwick many times. Haroin walking in, shortly after.
    He had questions for me, and the headmistress, thought it best that I answer them, if I could.

    This is when things become confusing, when things became strange.

    He first asked who I was, what my relation to Lord Volkman was, I answered both, and he began to ramble, something of an imposter Silus Volkman, a house Volkman, none of it made any sense, he kept calling it, a cruel joke. He asked where the -imposter- was, where Lord Volkman was. I told him as best I could, where everyone else had last seen him, but that was not good enough. He then asked, if Lord Volkman left anything that might say who he was, or where he was. Myeil asked both Reilash, and the other man, whos name I still cannot remember. They shook their head, then asked me.
    All I could think of was the strange little chest, so I pulled it out and showed it to them all. They all seemed dissapointed when it did not seem to help answer questions, or clear anything up. Untill I used the word Lord Volkman used to open it once ~Morgrath~. As I said the word, I felt pain as the box opened, but even through the pain, I could not help but notice, Haroin acted starnge as I spoke the word.
    I looked into the box, and held out the contents to let the others see them, Only a few things, but the strangest, was a heart, in a bottle, that was still beating, along with this red ring.

    Myeil held out her hand for the ring, and as she did so, the ring started to glow in my hand, then, I myself started to glow the same red color as the ring. The ground begin to shake, this horribly noise filled the air, fire arose before me, and some weird dog was standing in the middle of the flames, glowing the same red color that I was. The flames died down, Reilash asked Myeil what her orders were, she told him, to wait. I held out my hand to the dog, and to my suprise, It seemed to like me. I was able to pet it once, before Myeil told me to try and dismiss it, like I do my other summons. I did not think that it would work, but I did it anyway, and again to my suprise, it did.

    I then turned and looked to Haroin, who had dropped to his knees, he seemed, even more confused than I was. He began rambling again, and things started to become more and more confusing, He asked who my parrents were, who I was, then he asked if I was the son of Silus Volkman, and April. I did not know what to say, I know that April was very important to Lord Volkman for some reason, but surely not this, this could not be all true. Myeil, Reilash, and Haroin kept talking, things did not make sense, they still do not. He swore his alligance to me, to figure this all out? This man that was to kill Lord Volkman? I could only accept, I had to know what was going on in this, what this was all about.

    Who am I really? Am I Lord Volkmans son? Am I Cray Volkman?

  • C

    I have practiced these spells every day, leaving the Keep early in the morning, traveling to norwick and practicing out in the feilds. Every day it is the same routine, but yesterday was different, yesterday was strange.

    After practicing my spells, I hurried home. It was late, and I like to be back home before the stroke of midnight. When I made it home, I went to my room, going to meditate one what I had learned that day, as I've seen Lord Volkman do so many times. I chanced a glance to Lord Volkmans strange little chest, wishing he was here to see what all I can do, to see how far I have come. And to teach me more, these spells are incredible, but I wish for more.

    I closed my eyes to begin my meditation, but as I did so, I could somehow see the room being covered in darkness, all but a small green spark of flame in the center of the room before me. It grew to a large fire, throwing shadows about the room, them coming together and forming one solid shape. The shadow figure began to speak, and it sounded just like Lord Volkman! His words, seemed dark, powerfull and strange, I could not understand them, but he seemed to be trying to speak to me. Oddly enough, his speach sounds like the word he used to open his strange little chest.

    I sat there, and listened for the longest time, not able to understand a single word, but as he spoke, I somehow felt, stronger, more powerfull. It was a great feeling, but short lived, as the shadow faded away, and the green flame died out. I opened my eyes, and I was back in my room.

    Lord Volkman must still be alive, and he must be trying to tell me something. Maybe, I should open this chest, perhaps there is a clue in there.

  • C

    Again, I went to norwick, I needed to practice my spells, and the headmistress and others told me, the best practice is by going out in the feild.

    So I left the fire and walked out the south gates, I was being followed. A short while down the road, this strange hooded man passed me and turned east, I was curious, so I followed. When i caught up to the man, he was fighting, to my suprise, undead.

    The headmistress did not warn me of undead being this close to the town, so I was thankfull he was there, he warned me of the undead close to the roads, and the giant rats that are further south, then left in a hurry.

    As soon as he left, a young woman walked up behind me, she introduced herself as Telmiel, and her mephit friend as Mery, we talked about the undead, and she warned me as the strange hooded man did. Then invited me along to practice my spells on goblins. I accepted, and all three of us went south.

    Walking down the road, there was a bag by a tree, looking it over, I found no name on the bag, so I picked it up and was going to try and find its rightfull owner. Unfortunately, he found us. This horribly rude man stormed up to us and told us "get away from that bag!". After naming the contents of the bag, I handed it over, It was not worth fighting for anyway.

    He left south, and shortly after, we followed, only to find him bloody and hurt running from his life from a single goblin. Telmiel and I both took a shot at it, I missed and hit a tree, but she struck it down with a single bolt.
    He did not even thank us for our help, instead, he asked us if we wanted to join him, and help him, Telmiel declined, and he stormed off.

    We went further south, which was a big mistake, goblins are weak and cowards when they are alone, but in a large group, they become dangerous, we were outnumbered greatly, so we left in a hurry.

    We made it back to Norwick, passing the rude man again by the gates.
    She thanked me for my help, then left for some rest. I went to the fire, and talked about what had happened with the goblins. This elven woman warned me of the strange goblins and animals that are out in the woods, shortly after thanking her for her warnings, I came back home for some rest.

  • C

    I went into Norwick the other day, asking around about Lord Volkman, again none could tell me much, untill the headmistress of spellweaver keep herself walked up to the fire. I asked her about Lord Volkman, and she told me all she knew.

    The large explosion, that odd feeling I felt shortly after, she, and others said he was close to the center, but he could have gotten away, I've seen him teleport myself, he could have gotten away.

    The headmistress said I should keep practicing while I wait for him to return, and that I should find a new teacher to help me while I wait. Lord Volkman might be gone a long time it seems.

    Aramuil himself asked if I would like for him to teach me, and that Lord Volkman asked him to do this for him. I find this hard to believe, they were not the closest of people, so I politely declined.

  • C

    It has been two weeks since Lord Volkman showed me those spells, I have practiced them every day, even summoning Runt to my side.. only, it is'nt Runt anymore, he no longer plays fetch, or enjoys my attension, he just stares at me with those souless red eyes.

    In truth, I was happy Lord Volkman did not send for me the day after, or the day after that. I needed some time to think, he probably knew this, or so I thought. But two weeks is more than enough time, so I asked around for him, but no one was able to tell me anything. So I went to his room and looked around for a journal, a note, anything that might tell me where he went and why.

    But all I found was his strange little chest, I remember seeing him with it from time to time, it has no locks, or even a handle to open it. I've seen Lord Volkman say some strange word to open it once, I think.. ~mograth~ was the word he used. I've always wondered what was in this chest, if he is not back soon, I guess I will find out. He won't mind if i take it, if he ever comes back, I'll tell him i kept it to keep it safe.

    I might need to look for a new place to live, without Lord Volkman here, I might not be welcome in the keep for long. I'll go to Norwick tommorow, either I'll find out about Lord Volkman and where he went, or I'll find a new place to stay for the time being.

  • C

    It was so strange, I'm not sure what happened, Lord Volkman he.. then Runt changed and..I better start from the begining.
    I woke up, got dressed, then went outside and met with Lord Volkman. He asked me to call for Runt, which i did, he came bounding up to me, jumped up on me and licked my face.
    After a while petting him, Lord Volkman asked me if I wanted to somehow link myself to Runt, for life.
    I thought it was a great idea, so I did as Lord Volkman said, I helped him tie Runt down, which seemed odd, but probably needed so he wouldnt move in the circle that we drew out.
    Lord Volkman and I did some sort of ritual, I thought it would link me to Runt somehow, but.. something odd happened.
    He told me to walk up to Runt, and draw out a rune in the air above him, a rune ive never seen before.. but without question i did, after finishing the rune, i stepped back, and Runt started to squirm and wine, then moaning in pain untill his skin started to stretch in an odd manner.. and burst open, something black coming through..
    I couldnt do anything but watch in horror.. as this black dog emerged from what used to be Runt.. and grew to a larger size, standing before me with red glowing eyes, unfeeling, and uncaring… it wasnt Runt, at least, not anymore.

    Lord Volkman patted me on the shoulder and told me I did a good job, I wanted to ask what happened, what I just did, what happened to Runt, but I didnt.. im almost scared to know what really happened that day.
    He then told me how i could dismiss it, after I did so, how I could summon it again if I ever needed to, and that thing, and I, were linked for life... I always wanted a pet that would always be there for me.. I guess today, I got that wish..

    The cost was too high.. Runt, I'll never forget you...

  • C

    I spent all day practicing these spells.
    The little dagger is more usefull than I once thought, and the badger would make a nice pet, but I fear that Runt might get jealous.
    Or maybe he won't, He's a good little dog, i met him a few weeks ago just outside of the keeps gates. No one has come looking for him, so I think he's a stray.
    Whenever im not studying, or running errands for Lord Volkman, I go outside and play with Runt, simple games of fetch or tug of war.
    Lord Volkman asked me to meet with him tommorow, and to bring Runt with me, I'm not sure why, I guess i'll find out tommorow.

  • C

    These cantrips are amazing, simple little spells yes, but oh so usefull.
    No more searching for a candle or a lantern, no more waiting for my cider or soup to cool, I can even zap the door knob when someones opening it and give them a small shock, but I better not do that too often.
    The possablities to use each spell seems endless, I could spend my whole life thinking up new ways to use each one.
    This is strange, Lord Volkman wishes to see me again, something about spells im sure, maybe more cantrips to learn or maybe i messed up yesterday.. I hope its the former.

    This is much better than cantrips! He taught me how to cast stronger spells, summoning spells.
    One that summons an incredible floating dagger, and another that summons this odd little badger.
    He told me, that these were too defend myself with, and that I should practice them often, and be able to cast them perfectly at any givin time.
    Because these spells could save my life one day, so i can't afford to mess up their castings.