3. Random thoughts of Salin Ashald

Random thoughts of Salin Ashald


  • In this black leather bound book are Salin's thoughts and memories of his time just before and since he reached Narfell.

    ((I write these words in hindsight, so I apologize for not remembering some details, or even people that may have been there that I forget to mention. Also, the symbol of mystra is obviously not mine, and neither is the rune circle around it, so credit goes to whomever made those.))

    The days on the road are hard… Haven't seen a proper bed in several tendays, but I must press forward. I cannot let them catch up with me, I can't fall now. Thut says we are almost at our destination, but he won't tell me where that is. The only thing he tells me is that's in the Narfell region, and that there I have to find the "Keep", that they will be able to help me on my quest. I wonder what's this "Keep", and how he learned about it, but since he saved me, I feel that he can be trusted. If he wanted me dead, he could have let the Drow One can easily see the hatred with which this word was written get me. Damnable fiends! They' shall be brought to justice, and they'll pay for their sins...

    At any rate, i'm grateful for being given the opportunity of seeing such a rare creature as this Fire Hound. I have never even heard about them, but he explained that they were all hunted down as they look just like Hell Hounds, but are more docile and trusting, so they practically allowed themselves to become extinct.

    Well, time to get some rest. As soon as dawn breaks, we'll go continue our journey. I'm tired, my back is killing me and my feet hurt, but I cannot give up.

    Tymora favors me this day! I found a hin caravan that was heading my way. I asked them to stop and said they they were heading to a place called the Gypsy Camp. I went back to Thut and he said the Gypsy Camp was near our destination, so I could go and ask them for a ride, while he followed us from afar, as he didn't want to scare the travelers away. I did so and off we went. They said we'd take a few days to get there, and that the path was rather dangerous, so I was even more lucky to have found them. And more than that, finally I can eat properly after several tendays eating only berries and apples.

    Time to call it a night, as the hins say we're about to leave the Long Road and that I am not allowed to see where they take me through. Usually I'd tell them this is where I leave, but since Thut is watching, I think I'll be fine.

    At last we reached the gypsy camp, but it was not what I was expecting. Or them. I thought I'd find an actual camp with people, but instead all I saw was empty tents. And spiders. Lots and lots of spiders... However, the hins I was traveling with were kind enough to deal with them before they left, saying that this land was not the one they once knew, and that they'd never return. Once they were gone, Thut came back to my side and we continued forward, until we came to a crossroad. There was no one in sight, but Thut told me this was called the "Nars Pass" and that it was actually a popular route for adventurers and merchants alike. As we went south, however, my faithful companion told me he'd have to leave for the elemental plane of Fire, since he'd not risk being spotted by someone who'd cut our throats first, and ask questions later. He sent me on my way to arrange for my citizenship in this village called Norwick, which was promptly granted with no further questions as i stated my full name. Seems the name Ashald bears some recognition in this region...

    Time to head for the inn for some sleep. I'll start searching for the Keep tomorrow.

    Well, seems I haven't written in this thing for a while... Years, really. I'll try to catch up the best I can.

    In my first day in Norwick, I found some adventurers speaking to an elf about something to do with goblins. I caught the conversation halfway through so I didn't catch the elf's name until later, but the adventurers welcomed me and allowed me to join them as they went about exploring some caves. One of them, a dwarf named Macmonogog even fought a bear that was attacking us with his bare hands. That was something I'd never forget. Unfortunately for us, something got another elf that was traveling with us and had to be raised by the one that stayed by the gates.

    The next day was pretty uneventful. Can't say the same about the night though. As Mac was saying something about things going bump in the night, I feel this wind behind my neck. Really scary stuff, but it turns out it was just the elven scout named Hen. That woman sure is sneaky, but she seemed nice and we did become rather good friends. We went back to the goblin caves, as it turned out we got into the wrong cave last night and brought back something (I never saw what it was) to that white robed elf, that I came to find out only recently was named Raryldor.

    I also met Willow, a Shaundakulite Cleric that showed me around the place. I was enjoying sightseeing so much I even forgot to ask her about the Keep! She showed me all sorts of great places, including a part of that Gypsy camp I didn't see on my way in, the larger town of Peltarch, to the north of the Pass and some other of her favorite haunts.

    Now that I think about it, Willow did end up saving my life a lot of times since then. I seem to find myself saying "Thanks Willow!" every other day now...

    Anyway, over these three years I've been in Narfell, I've seem to have grown a lot. I'm not the scared child I was when I left Waterdeep, I don't fear the drow anymore, though I still want them brought to justice.
    I met a lot of other people as well, that in some way or another, had made my time here much easier, even despite the dangers this place holds.

    Case in point, in my first year, I was in Peltarch, and the guards come to a group of adventurers there, including Victoria, a cleric of Mystra, Alisa, priestess of Lurue, Andrew Brightdawn, the most shy warrior I've ever met, Willow, and others I can't remember now (should have written this sooner) and ask us to deal with some sort of ogre threat in the mountains to the east of the town. So there we go and as soon as we leave the gates, this drow shows up behind me! My instinct was to draw my crossbow on her, but Willow saw what I was about to do and told me she could be trusted, that she was not like the drow, so I lowered my guard a bit. She told me her name was Dondiah and that she didn't worship the Spider Queen Lolth, but the drow Goddess of beauty Eilistrae.

    I had made sure to find everything I could on drow as soon as I came to this region, to be able to better understand my enemy, so I knew that if she indeed worshiped Eilistrae, she'd be trustworthy, to an extent, so I apologized for my behavior and off we went to the ogre cave. After dealing with the ogres and orcs that lived there, we saw corpses of people that were surely going to be made food soon enough, so we brought them with us to see if there was something the healers could do about them. As we returned, however, we saw an ogre infant shouting happily throughout the caves that it was now king, and how wonderful that was, until we heard what we thought was its realization of the price it had cost for it to be king... Let's just say, I hope it doesn't recognize me when it grows up...
    As we left the cave, I finally figured out what the Keep was! Turns out there's a mage guild in Norwick called the Spellweavers Keep, and that they're a sort of academy for spellcasters. I should have figured it out sooner...

    A few months later, I was tracked down by Hen (I still have no idea how she can do that, that must be dozens of people going through the pass at all times and she still managed to single out my footprints from all the others...) and María, who introduced herself as the Keeper of Spellweaver's Keep and said she knew I was looking to join them (how, I have no idea), and that from that moment on, I'd be introduced as an apprentice to the academy. At last I found what I was looking for... Sort of, as we went to deal with the gnolls that have been dwelling in the Pass for years now and she forgot to mention where the actual building was.

    I came to find out just a few tendays ago, by Sirion, a professor at the Keep, that the building was not in this plane and that María's tower was now being used as the Keep's facilities.

    Another weird thing that I still have no idea what it means to this day, regards someone I met in Peltarch last year.
    I was in the commons, speaking to Sarantha, a girl who's going through some rough times (come to think of it, I don't think I ever saw her again...) and all of a sudden a knight clad in azure and gold armor and helm comes to check if we need help with anything. I told him we were fine and that I appreciated the gesture and he said it was no problem. That's when it got weird. He removed his helm and I could swear I was looking at myself in clear waters of the icelace. I asked him his name and it got weirder, as he told me he was called Sir Rath Ashald-Jorinsen (or something like that). I told him my name and we both stood there for a while trying to figure it out. Turns out we were even born around the same time! Now Sir Rath said he was going to try and see if he would be able to visit his grandfather, the eldest Ashald in the region, to see if the Ashald family branched off from Narfell to the Sword Coast at some point.

    Also last year, I met a man named Louis, who's a wizard and has been giving me some lessons about all things arcane. He seems to be from Oscura, and I've been told people from oscura are kind of shady, but he seems like someone I can trust.

    A few months later, I made my first trip to the Fugue. It seems the goblins caught me when me, Mac, and Locrian, an elf that has suffered from memory loss, were clearing their cave. I don't remember that part though, only entering a room, seeing Mac fighting a bunch of them, darkness, Locrian trying to get me out of there, darkness again and then, the Fugue. While there, Thut came to me and told I shouldn't trust Louis. I asked him why, but he wouldn't tell me. All he said was to make sure I learned from him, but to be on my toes around him, that promises of power always come with a price. I didn't understand any of that, but I know Louis wouldn't cause me any harm. Why would he, anyway?

    Other adventure I really need to write down happened but a few months ago. I was heading back to Norwick from Peltarch (I find myself coming from and going to Peltarch a lot now) and I heard the elves speaking to each other about some crown and some gems. As always, when I arrived they were already going for the gates, so I tagged along to help them out. Somethings happened down that i still can't understand, but bottom line is the gems have to be destroyed. I heard two already have been, but as it seems this is something for elven eyes only, I won't write about it any further, out of respect for them.

    My latest adventure happened just a few tendays ago. I wouldn't even call it an adventure really. I was just by the fire in Norwick, with Silvanius, Hen, Raryldor, Trish and another dwarf I didn't know when all of a sudden the ground starts shaking. After the shaking stopped, a guard comes to ask if everything is ok, and that the shaking may have been caused by Umber Hulks. So we went to the south gates to protect our village. At first we saw nothing, but then they did come. We held our own against their first wave, but the came the hobgoblins. We took a couple of waves of those as well, another of Umber Hulks, then two waves of about three or four dozen goblins and then a beast the likes of which I never seen before showed up. Our weapons did nothing against it. My spells were useless as well, as were Raryldor's. I managed to draw the beast to me, distracting it from high ground, just out of its grasp as the others figured a way to finish it. Then Hen had an idea. As she climbed a pole outside the gates and held her rapier, i figured she was going to try and thrust it to the thing's eyes, the only part that wasn't covered with that thick skin of its. She jumped, and sure enough the thing was struggling to get the rapier out, clearly in pain, and then all of a sudden it dissappeared. Hen joked that she wasn't sure it had actually worked or if the thing just got tired of looking at my robes (they aren't the most beautiful attire I've ever worn, I admit it, but they enhance my spellcasting abilities, so I look past their ugliness). I do ponder myself about that same question... Anyway, after all that we decided to take the fight to them, so we pressed forward, but I saw myself running from a hobgoblin spellcaster. When I looked back and saw it had been defeated, I returned to the rest of the group, but they had already dispatched the rest of the goblinoids.

    Well, now that the catching up's been done, it's time to go to sleep. Let's see what the day of tomorrow will be, and if i can finally figure out where the keep is...

    A circle was drawn around this Remember to ask where the Keep is.


  • "Leadership".

    Sometimes I wonder about this word. What does it mean to be a Leader? As I look around me, leadership these days has been leaving something to be desired. Peltarch's senate is being accused of ignoring the farmers' plea to till the lands south of Peltarch, following Chauntea's blessing of the fields during Greengrass, 3 years ago. Also, María of all people has been charged with attacking a civilian in the commons and has been removed from her position as senator and sentenced to remain within the War Camp. To the south, the chancellor is being accused of ignoring the whole of Norwick's situation, as they have yet to acknowledge the current threat of gnolls that escalated in the pass.

    About this, some have approached me, beckoning me to do something about the situation in Norwick, to lead the town as chancellor.
    I never had any intentions of ruling anything, nor am I a poltician. So what should I do?

    Regarding Norwick, I'm unsure the leadership is actively ignoring the situation, or simply choosing to remain behind closed doors and making preparations. But I fear that inquiry over it will only result in turmoil, which is precisely what we don't need at this time. On the other side of things, Uljas has been rallying the commoners, teaching them how to defend themselves. It won't be enough to stop the gnolls if they decide to march upon our gates, but it surely can make the difference when we consider the raumviri forces and the rest of the militia. Eilonna, who had been given power over the militia, immediately evacuated the population to the temple of Kelemvor. A hasty decision that could have cost many a life, because if the refugees had not been lead back to Norwick a few days later, they would have been attacked by Ice trolls coming from the other side of the Scar. An attack that a small party, comprised of myself, Willow, Jimmeh, Shesarai and others fended off with some effort. Taking the fight to them, we encountered an odd creature, seemingly made of ice who told us to back off. The trolls were simply hungry and they had sensed the source of food near the kelemvorite temple. After we exchanged a few words, Shesarai saw fit to tell the icy creature that both myself and Jimmeh were fire wielders, which prompted her to become hostile, expelling us from her lands. But not before she told us of an Ice Hag, who could perhaps help convince the trolls not to attack us any further. We were about to return to regroup and seek the hag, when she appeared before us next to the crossing. She seemed to agree with our terms, though she asked for something in return. Once we questioned he for her price, however… Well, she requested me. For one night. We stared incredulous at each other, but then Jimmeh saw fit to close the deal without consulting anyone else. I was dumbstruck. Both because Jimmeh had just sold me off as a slave, and because I saw her approach, growing ever closer. I tried to keep her at bay, but I was simply shocked beyond reaction. She swung me over her shoulders and off she went, the rest of them chasing after the rather fast hag. By the entrance of old Jiyyd, a multitude of fire arrows hit the hag, causing me to plummet to the ground in a rather hopeless position. As I got up, the ice creature returned, again sending us away with increased aggressiveness, due to the hag's death by our hands. I don't know what might happen next, but surely I won't be going with Jimmeh to any other situations where negotiations might take place... Unless he is properly restrained first.

    But all of that to say... All these people made decisions. The senate decided to ignore the farmers. The chancellor decided to ignore the gnolls. Eilonna decided to evacuate the people and Uljas decided to train them. Jimmeh decided to sell me off and María decided to attack that person.

    That is what being a leader is about: making decisions with the potential to severely and directly affect the fates of countless others. But all around, I see reckless decisions being made, whether through action or inaction of those who have the duty to ponder the welfare of the people before anything else. Honestly, in all of this, the only person that actually made anything positive, is Uljas.

    On the other hand, in these difficult times, unity is of the utmost importance, and anything that can be perceived as a threat to the establishment will cause unwanted rifts that would be more harmful than whatever poor decisions those in power can make.

    All would be so much easier if Norwick had a system of periodic elections. But that is a fight for another day, I suppose.


  • Gods, it's been so long since I last wrote here! I'll try to catch up.

    First of all, we're getting closer to an end to the rabid gnolls haunting the pass. Jonni has discovered a cure to their illness and has started conversation with the gnoll leader to see what can be done.

    I've also been made professor of Spellweaver Keep. More responsibility for me, especially since I'll be tutoring a child by the name of Franklin, an innate mage much like myself with an affinity to the element of fire. However, and again, much like myself, lhe can't control his powers very well, and that's why María saw fit to have me teach the lad on how to use his powers.

    Shortly after, I met none other than ink smudge in Peltarch! I could barely believe it was even possible at first, with all the differences in behaviour and whatnot, but seemingly it is. Which I should be expecting, considering all that happened… This sure is a small world...

    Other than that, I managed to return some equipment an ogre had stolen from the defenders by the icelace beach. Well, our group retrieved the stones that the ogre had shaped around the gear. It was Jonni who actually broke them so i could take the weapons and armor back to the defenders.

    More recently, a series of gate attacks on Norwick. We barely held our own against the seemingly endless waves of undead that striked at us. I don't think I ever used so many spells in a row before... Spheres, Firebrands, Missiles, everything. Willow also dished out a ton of spells of her own, while Kabul shot them with his bow and Silvanius dealt with them up close and personal. Luckily, I had enough for the duration, and Raryldor arrived later to join the fight, along with Shesarai and Jimmeh with even more spells, so we were able to hold them off quite well, despite the numbers. By the end of it, the guards seemingly woke up from whatever spell they were in (I'm assuming alcoholic in nature) and joined the fray. And then an undead knight appeared, saying all Norwickians were to die. 8 guards were killed by its hand. Nothing we could throw at it worked. Only the first rays of the morning sun scared it enough to send it running.
    I don't know who that knight was, but Norwick is my home now, and it can be sure I'm not going down without a fight.


  • There's something about helping people that makes me feel… Good.

    I was by the fire in Norwick, warming up in a particularly cold day, when an elderly man comes from the east, wearing some tattered robes. He said he came from Peltarch by boat, and that a one eyed man had given him those clothes and sent him down south. We talked for a bit, and he told me he had been taken away by forces unknown, several years ago and only now was he able to return, although with none of his possessions. Hearing that, I decided to help the man back on his feet, not out of a sense of pity, but rather out of kinship, for I too was once in a troubled situation, and if no one had helped me, who knows where I'd be now?

    Anywyay, we returned to Peltarch, to find him some proper clothing and a weapon. He told me he was a bowman, and preferred to use leather, being formerly one of the Far Scouts, so I got him just that, a few bundles of arrows and some gold pieces.

    Undortunately, duty called me back to Spellweaver's keep to continue on my research, so I had to leave the man, but at least now he won't have to worry so much about the cold...


  • Seems peltarch has fallen victim of a rat infestation. I was at the bath house today after a patrol through the sewers, when I heard squeaking noises coming from the sauna. I asked Dawn to come along and once I opened the door, there it was. Dawn was quick to dispatch the rodent (as any good ca… Panther would) and afterwards we returned to the Commerce district, to see what was going on in the Commons. There I saw yet another of those large rats killing a cow, and then it turned to me! I was forced to run as i had been caught unaware, but Dawn took care of it just as easily.

    I am going to keep searching for more of these things. Hopefully it was just a one off kind of affair, but one never knows...


  • Ser'Khal the Necromancer is no more.

    After so many months of stumbling upon dead ends and fake hideouts, we got him. Jonni made the call and we sure answered. This impromptu army of able men and women marched through the enemy's lair, dealing with the horde of undead he had conjured to protect him.

    After a full day of vanquishing this infestation, we reached the villain's chambers, where its twisted, foul creation awaited us: a gigantic teddy bear, a creature born of a sick sense of humor only a madman possessed.

    Standing near it would be enough for any of us to fall, the horrible stench of death surrounding this necromantic aberration.

    Still, the might of the fine warriors of Narfell defeated this wicked beast, and so we pressed onwards, until only the evil lich himself remained.

    With a single word, he killed Eragor, and almost got me as well, but Lady Ashena was able to lay her hands on the lich, the power of Torm cleansing the evil taint off him, effectively killing Ser'Khal.

    After that, Theroy, the mage that had been hinting us to the enemy's location, appeared and revealed to us who he really was: the good side of the necromancer, who had split from him when the liching ritual was performed. Once we defeated the necromancer, Theroy was free to pass on as well.

    As a last favor to us, he opened a portal back home, but he was fading already, and we needed to get Eragor back up, so me, Emelia and Elessar rushed to the portal, channeling our strength to keep it open as Lector took care of raising the big guy. Once he was back up, we all headed through the portal, safely appearing within the Mermaid for a well deserved drink.

    After a few hours of rest, I returned to the Keep, to continue my research on these doubles, who, according to Nica and Jonni's mother, Lycka, are indeed some sort of constructs. There are several books on the matter here, but it's hard to tell exactly what kind of constructs these are…

    Back to work.

    XPz pending


  • Why did I have to stumble upon such a strange land? A few tendays ago, I heard about some copies of people who were trying to kill them and take their place. Last tenday I found mine. I was leaving the Keep after another day of research and suddenly I see myself walking toward the tower. I was invisible, so he didn't see me right away, but still I confronted him, figuring he'd be willing to talk, if he was anything like me, but apparently he was too far gone and tried to attack me. I defended myself and struck back. However, no victor arose from that battle, as the goblins forced us both to flee, our strengths severy drained already. I rushed back to the gates, checking my GPS for someone to help me with Salin #2, when suddenly Nica shows up from the south. However, the GPS placed Nica in the Giantspire Foothills. When I confronted her with that, she quaffed an invisibility potion and attacked me. Luckily Jimmeh was there to assist, and she just ran, severly wounded, saying that we'd better bring the original Nica to her, or the copy would just kill every person Nica cared about, one by one.

    On happier news, I went to Charles's Knighting cerimony, something apparently even he forgot about. He asked me to be his witness, along with Lady Rith, and so I did. I don't know Sir Charles that well, but judging from what I could see, I think he'll make a good addition to the Order of the Divine Shield. Once he learns how to loosen up a bit, that is…

    I hope more developments about these damned doubles come up, as we're pretty much stumped. All we know is that they're out to get us, they want to take our place and they're led by a "Mistress". Who this mysterious lady is we have no idea at this time, but we will certainly find out... I hope.

    XP pending- Given!


  • Another few tendays go by with more weird and ominous goings on. First off, we had a visit from Miss Leanna. She made a few comments about us being the next generation of heroes or something to that effect, seeing as the old one is… Well, old. She didn't mention any threats for the time being, but warned us to be on our toes, and then turned us into a number of different animals and creatures (myself turning into a chicken, Nica into a werewolf, Anheim into a penguin, Llyran into a Dire Bear and even Dawn got turned into a spider!) After she left, me, Nica, Llyran and Anheim went off to search for a place to set up a fishing pond for the people of Peltarch. We found just the right place by the Giantspire foothills, but now we need permission to actually get things going.

    Later on, Jimmeh invited us to explore the ruins of fort Ormpur, as he was curious as to what it could be found there, so Nica, Kuln, myself and Sir Horst accompanied him. It was as dangerous as any journey through Jiyyd was expected to be, but still we triumphed over the undead and outsiders that lurk those forsaken lands... On our way back, however, we were attacked by this weird sort of bush that threw thorny ropes at us. Even after we defeated it, the thorns seemed to be alive and latched on to me and Kuln. I was able to pry mine off with Nica's assistance, but Kuln's burrowed deep in his skin. I cast a ray of frost to numb his arm as Nica used a knife to make a small cut and get it off him. However, Nica was understandably nervous and made a little more than a small cut, but still everything turned out alright and the deadly thorn got burned and destroyed.

    As we did that, an ethereal wolf showed up, and Nica identified him as Jerrick, Leena and Elaine's father. He warned us to be wary of our dreams, as a planar threat was lurking about, one who could take whatever shape it wants. I asked if there was something I could do to help, and he pointed to a thorn that had latched on to my leg. I immediately knocked it off with my quarterstaff and Nica stomped it with hers. I think that was a test to see how I'd react, as he seemed to be rather pleased with our performance. After that, he escorted us back to the entrance of Jiyyd, and after a few more moments of talking with Nica, he disappeared.

    I was quite honored to meet one that some consider a saint and although I know he hates to be called that, I can see why some people would.

    Last tenday I ran into María, and took that opportunity to ask her a few things about enchanting. She gave me quite a few helpful tips on reagents and technique, and I'm looking forward to finally have something made by myself. Also, she gave me a few tips on spellcasting, and how to make the most use of my counterspelling abilities. She mentioned that some mages would use lesser spells to drain my dispels, so I should be careful. She also tried to teach me how to aim my fireballs to hit only what I want them to hit, but I'm not that good... As always, practice makes perfect.


  • Things are starting to go back to normal now… Although normal in this case means weird things are happening. Last tenday I was enjoying some tea at the Mermaid when suddenly a pixie appears out of nowhere and casts a spell on me. I didn't feel any difference at first but after a few moments I could see myself turning into a zombie! I left the Mermaid in terror, and although I was still pretty much myself, some instincts I could not control... I started feeling an immense hunger for brains, though I refrained myself from any actual evil actions (thank the gods!). Seeing Nica and Vash't however, I felt this compulsion to touch them for some reason, and when I did, they too turned into undead. Then the pixie showed herself once more, and said that in order for us to go back to our true selves, we had to pass three trials.

    The first of these trials was meant to make us think as undead, forcing us to choose from a bunch of creatures which one we'd want to feast upon. We chose a troll and the others vanished. As we approached the creature, the pixie killed it, and suddenly its body turned into an assortment of candies (luckily we didn't really have to eat the things brains - thank the gods again!).

    The second was a race from where we stood, next to the Bardic college to the Mermaid. It seemed relatively simple, except for the fact that movement was actually slow and painful as the muscles in our legs were rotten... An experience I really do not want to repeat.

    Finally, the last challenge was to scare a little girl (or the illusion of one). This was accomplished... Well, there's no need to remember that part... Suffice to say that Vash't did it and we were returned to normal.

    Another odd thing is that the kobolds are still missing from the warrens... Could this be the end to one of the threats to the city of Peltarch? I'm not too sure as there are still plenty of the creatures roaming the swamps... Perhaps they simply found a different hideout?


  • Alright. I'm back at last. I mean, I have returned to Narfell a few months ago already, but I haven't really had any time to return to my usual "routine" of helping folks along. That began to change a few tendays ago, as we went to the swamps to clear the warrends of kobolds. The odd part was that there were absolutely no kobolds there. We found it weird, but ultimately just returned to Peltarch. Some time later, we headed to the giantspire foothills and once again there were no orcs… I had no idea why the creatures were missing, and honestly I didn't really mind, as it meant no more threats to Peltarch. Still, we decided to keep going to the caves, to see if they were really gone. Once we got there, we saw that there was a whole army of them within. After clearing them all, the orc leader came to us, but that threat too was dealt with. That would have been good enough for us, but then a woman came running to us. She was nude, and a bit... Unwell, mentally speaking, but I suppose I would be too if I had been kept imprisoned by orcs for the gods know how long... She was no commoner however, as she effortlessly killed a stray orc with a single spell. The woman never told us her name, and remained behind to conduct some experiments on the corpses. At first we thought she meant necromancy, but she then clarified she'd only take a few samples of flesh to test their properties... Maybe the results of that study can lead to a more effective way to deal with orcs in the future... I certainly hope it does.


  • Almost home, at long, long last. This past few months have taken been quite exhausting, but at least now everyone can get their well deserved rest.

    After the rather shocking experience of actually seeing my parents' grave, me and Mat were heading back to the estate, when Wands once again asked about that party. We were both tired of all the searching and definitely could use the morale boost, so I ended up finally accepting.

    We returned home to get properly outfitted for the event and showed up by the Wands Manor a few minutes before the party started, so he gave us a tour around the estate. We didn't talk much other than the occasional question about Narfell and if we were considering staying there for good.

    Even during the party, there was not much talk, just dancing and the usual drinking. After it was over, however, when all the other guests had returned to their homes, congratulating Mr Wands for his qualities as a host, he asked me to stay a bit longer so we could chat. I found it a bit odd, seeing as we had plenty of time for that during the whole day, but still I could use a little talk to get my mind off some of the troubles of the day.

    He asked me several questions about my parents and what I remembered from the attack, but the oddest question was about Mat's parents, and why I was looking for a couple of mere servants.

    I replied that they're important to me because they're Mat's parents, but even if they weren't, they still deserved to find their peace.

    He then asked me about developments in the search, to which I replied that we hadn't had any luck.

    After that, we headed through a large corridor and down a flight of stairs, toward the laboratory. I figured he had prepared the scrolls he asked me, so I went along. The place was really remarkable, filled with all sorts of magic items I had never seen anywhere else, and an odd symbol on the floor, that he told me was used as a ward to safely create planar portals without risking a Balor entering the Prime Material.

    I decided to look closer upon it, and that's when I discovered the truth… That was no ward, but the portal itself! Once I confronted him, his demeanor changed, and he activated the ward gems in his necklace to defend him from harm and to entrap us in his lab as the spell was completed, an army of undead appearing before our very eyes!

    Wards started laughing, saying that I had at least found what I was looking for, as he pointed to the two zombies that had just jumped out of one of the storage closets, both with the Ashald family crest still recognizable in their tattered clothings.

    Mat hacked at the undead with his sword as I cast all protective spells I had as quickly as my hands would let me. As soon as the threat was dealt with, I dispelled the wall that trapped us within and we chased after the foul necromancer.

    We caught up with him fairy quickly, and he wasn't even out of his property when I confronted him over what he had done. He tried to cast some spells to disorient us and get away again, but I managed to counter them all and Mat was able to subdue him. After that we called the Watch, had him arrested for Necromancy and buried Mat's parents in the Graveyard.

    As soon as his trial ended, me and Mat set sail back to Narfell, and are now just docking back in Norwick.

    It's sad to think what drives people you always thought of as good-intentioned to do this sort of foul things... Is it the desire to learn? Is it greed? Or just lust for power? Whatever it was for him, I just hope he will pay for what he has done. As for myself, all I know is that I don't want to mess with that kind of magic. Those who cannot be tended back to life should be left as they want to be and given the rest they deserve.


  • The search continues. Two months later and I still couldn't find them. I suppose I couldn't expect much, seeing as it has been over three years since it all went down. The city got back to its feet again, and amongst the several dead and missing, who would take notice of a couple of simple servants? Still, there has to be someone, somewhere, that heard about them. They didn't simply vanish into thin air. In the Castle Ward no one saw them though. I'll search the North Ward next, while Mat searches the South. They're here, I know they are. And I will find them.

    Still, Mr Wands seems particulary eager to get that welcome party going, despite the fact that I've been here for two months now… I suppose he just wants to have things go back to the way they used to be, and me asking about that day is not making things easy for him. Still, he did tell me about a spell that would allow me to send a short message anywhere I want. Unfortunately, it's a fifth circle spell, so I had to ask him to scribe some scrolls for me. He told me he'd do it, but it'd take a few days, as he was busy with other projects.

    Well, here I go now, hopefully Tymora will smile on us...


  • We docked in Waterdeep today. The journey to the west was pretty uneventful, though Dawn refused to set foot on this plane while we were on the sea. Silly, on the other hand, seemed to be feeling right at home in a ship, while Silver just remained in its stoic, dutiful warhorse demeanor the whole time in the animal pen below deck. As for me and Mat, we just talked about what we'd do once we got to the City of Splendors, and kept practicing as Yana had instructed. I hated to leave on such a short notice, without even properly saying goodbye to my friends, but me and Mat will only be here a few months. It was quite a sight the look in all those people's faces as they saw me leaving that boat.
    Mr Wands insisted on celebrating my arrival after all these years, but I had to tell him to hold on that until I did what I set out to do: Find and bury Mathias' parents, and visit my own's grave. He was a bit disappointed, but understood that I wasn't really in the mood for parties with such a grim task ahead of me. I assured him, however, that we'd have that celebration as soon as all was done.

    I just settled in my old room. It looks just the same as I left it, other than the gathered dust, but the wards around the estate prevented further pillaging. How the Drow got past them I have no idea…

    Something I still can't do, is enter my parent's quarters. To see the place of their death, to remember what I saw that day... It would be too much.

    Mathias headed to his old room outside the manor as well, despite having told him several times he could stay in one of the many guest rooms in the house. If it's a matter of old habits dying hard or if he just feels at home there I don't know, but I think he'll be fine. His blindness is almost not a problem anymore. Yana really did a great job with him...

    Tomorrow I'll check the graveyard. Hopefully his parents have already been given the proper chance to rest. If not, I'll search the entire area around the estate and see what happens from there.

    I just hope everything's alright back home... Maybe there's some spell that allows me to communicate with them? I'll have to do some research... After I take care of this.


  • It seems my work at the orphanage really made a difference. Little Daniel finally got adopted, following a little talk I had with him about how he shouldn't think himself better than the other kids. He told me "But I am the king here! That means I'm the boss, right?" I smiled at him and told him of Siamorphe and how a true leader is always in front of his people, and not above. He seemed to have taken those words to heart, so much so that one day, as he witnessed Annie being bullied by Thomas, he calmly told him to stop, whereas just a week ago, he'd likely join the bully. By chance, a recently wed couple was passing by and witnessed Daniel's bravery. They adopted him then and there. I'll never forget the smile in the lad's face as he left…

    Also, I think Jackie may be a sorcerer. He's a bit shy most of the time, and doesn't talk much, but I can sense the magic trying to make it's way out. Maybe I should have a little talk with him about that, before he finds out the hard way what he's capable of doing.

    Returning home from the orphanage, I found María speaking to this elf dressed only in loincloth. I offered one of my spare tunics, but he explained he wore little by choice, such being the tradition of the monks of his temple. I do find it a bit odd to wear so little with such cold weather in Narfell, but if those are his customs, I believe we just have to respect them.

    Shorty after Mystic arrived and we spoke of one we both had recently become acquainted with, a gentleman by the name of Dexter. He seems like quite the nice person, very polite and amicable. I find the attitude quite humbling, though the elf, Amendel, mentioned he had been a bit rude with him... I suppose not all of us regard foreign customs in the same way...

    Then it was Willow's turn to show up, and she and Dawn went about talking about her and Shesarai's recent experience as Umber Hulks. It also seems Dawn and Leanna made peace. Apparently Dawn got a bit scolded for having called Leanna "meanie", which was the cause of the whole misunderstanding, and at least it looks like everything's OK now.

    Returning from woods by the south gate, after I took Dawn out for a little hunting trip, I found Amendel, Jonni and a seemingly drunken Timmot speaking about a cat that apparently had made its way into town, though I arrived late and didn't get all the details. Then the guard turned to a horse that was just standing there, and threatened to kill it. I intervened, telling him I'd speak to the owner to see it tied up. Amendel didn't really help, as he kept insisting on calling the guard out on his drunkenness, which did not make my task any easier, but I eventually convinced him to leave the horse be, then asked Leena, who luckily was sitting along with Elaine by the fire, to get the horse out of there before another guard showed up. I know it isn't her responsibility to take care of other people's horses, but she was the only one who could do it without risking the horse getting angry...

    As I spoke to Sir Selious, who had just arrived to Norwick as well, of my work at the orphanage, I felt a shooting pain in my left hand. Looking at it, I found that damnable scar was gone! I have finally gotten rid of that taint that has been haunting me all this time! To confirm this, I took the same steps as last time, all the way to the temple of Lathander, but this time I was not blocked off. I was finally let in. That temple never looked more beautiful. Sir Selious told me he was proud of me, as did Leena. But after a little argument among the people gathered by the fire about civilization and how twisted the idea of it is, me, María and the hin mage Belma'r headed off to patrol the hobgoblin area. Upon our return, María asked me to speak to Raryldor, as she had been unable to find him and he was, according to her, owing an apology for the whole situation that happened in her tower a few months ago. I told the message to Raryldor, who felt he owed her nothing, as it was Sirion's idea to go to the tower, and it was he who allowed them in, and the one who cast the spell that actually destroyed the items. Regardless, I am not one to meddle in the affairs of other people, though I feel that this is about more than a few destroyed wards and magic items. A peaceful solution could easily be found if they wanted to, but some people just don't want to find it. As long as they don't kill each other though, they are both well capable of sorting it out.

    As I talked to Raryldor, this strange bird shows up gawking and calling me out. I asked it who had sent it, but I don't think it was capable of speech, more than just the few sounds it was seemingly imitating. It did, however, drop a note in my pocket before darting off, and apparently "Silly the Parrot" is a gift to me for getting rid of my taint. As the only people who knew were Sir Selious and Leena, and judging by the exotic nature of the bird, I'd place my bet on the lovely druid.


  • Last few tendays got me a bit busy, which is good because I was able to get my mind off all those things that were going on…

    María allowed me into the Keep at least as an Adept, now capable of pursuing my own projects, and no longer being an apprentice. I asked her aout the test I supposedly had to make, but she told me the greatest test was life, and I had passed it. It's good to hear such praise from someone as powerful as she is, but I really can't let it get over my head, as I still have a lot more to learn and Mystra teaches us to be humble with the gift she grants us.

    Also, i've decided to take Sir Selious's proposal and join the Forsworn as a Squire, a few days before Vega was knighted herself. I asked Sir Horst to teach me a few things about mèlée combat as It has been a long time since I last picked up a rapier and I feel it's a good option to rely on when spells drain and the enemy gets a bit too close.

    Sir Horst seems like a skilled fighter, as he knows exactly which vital points he should hit to make enemies fall with just a few blows. I hope to be able to learn that from him as well.

    A few days later, as I was going from Norwick to Peltarch, I came across Emelia and a hin Paladin who was talking with her. He seemed rather hostile at me, but I shruged it off as him being suspicious of a man wearing pink boots (not that I can blame him for that), but then he told me he wouldn't even walk with us due to a "malevolence" he felt within me and darted off before i could explain to him that I was dealing with that. Sometimes I feel Willow is right and I should just ignore Paladins... But then again, not all of them are this close minded... I guess people are the way they are, no matter what they do for a living...

    A few days ago, Eragor, Tolin, Sir Horst and me went patroling the crypts. Eragor mentioned had never seen so many undead in there, but we pressed forward, dealing with everything that stood in our path. After we dealt with all of them, I remembered the reason why there so many: The necromancer should be trying to raise a second army, and we managed to thwart their plans once more, though it's safe to assume they'll be angered at this... Oh well, we beat their army twice already, we can do it again.

    Afterwards, Shesarai, Eragor, Leena, Willow and myself decided to head to the derro mines under Oscura... A strange, orange but very profitable place, as we managed to amass the amount of gold the yearly pass cost (500 gold pieces) in that one trip. If we keep getting this lucky in subsequent trips, I suppose we'll be just fine...

    Today, as I talked to my brother about our coming journey to Waterdeep, Yana showed up and Mat eventually told her about his blindness, prompting her to volunteer as a trainer for him, to allow him to gain as of his surroundings despite his condition. He seemed to be eager to learn, and I am to take him to her again. Yana is a very capable fighter, so I know he's in good hands.

    Now, for some much deserved rest. Let's see what tomorrow brings.


  • I think I'm beginning to think too much. It's starting to make me something I'm not. Cranky. Grumpy. Angered at all and nothing at all. I don't usually go out to kill things on my own, and lately I've been doing that a lot. Mostly undead, granted, but still I'm not the kind of guy who does the stabbing. I'm the guy who stays in the back helping the guy who stabs to do it better, while not getting stabbed himself. Speaking to Eilonna about it, and generally about stab or not to stab and the reason why stabbing is important to maintain the Balance, I came to a rather unexpected conclusion: I'm still not over that damnable drow raid four years ago. Four years have passed and still I haven't mourned my parents' passing. Even Dawn spoke up and told me I was getting different, which is not a good thing… I think I may have to get me a caravan or something and head back to Waterdeep... See how things are, maybe get some closure... Maybe I can get Mathias to come with me too...

    Moving on, little did I know just yesterday how close I was to dying for my recklessness... I went to the graveyard, to cleanse the area of undead, and just after I was done, Shesarai showed up and we returned to Norwick. A few minutes later, it was the undead's turn to poke about. For the whole evening they came, wave after wave. Sir Selious fell to the abominations, who were not the usual ones from the graveyard, but rather much more powerful ones. Several times I tried to scry for the source of the fiends, but it wasn't until I turned my attention to the graveyard that I found something... Two summoners. We rushed to the crypts, dispatching everything that stood in our path, including an ogre skeleton and a huge shadow fiend, but ultimately, we couldn't find those responsible, though I suspect they may have hid within the crypts, as there were no portals leading out, but traces of illusionary magic were present. I tried to dispel the area of the illusions, but still found nothing, so we decided to head back home in case the crypts were just a ruse. We returned to find Norwick safe and sound though, and I've been granted a new spell even. Seems that whole talk about elemental magic before the dire rabbits showed up was not for nothing, as I can now make ice fall upon my foes, though I need to be careful, as it hurts friends too...

    After we came back, Sir Selious suggested I volunteer at the Peltarch Orphanage. That does sound like a good proposal, as I'm always glad to help, so I'm going to give it a shot for about a month or so, and see where I go from there. Hope the children like a good sorcerer's light show!

    written with a slightly different hadwriting, as if something was communicating through his body
    And stop worrying Salin, you're going mad! - Dawn


  • And on we go with the not so good stuff…

    I was in Norwick, thinking through all of those problems i had, when Mathias showed up, and we decided to go to the crypts to lower the undead numbers a few. After we returned, he and I started going through ways to get that debt of his out of his head. He considered gold, but he said his parents owed mine over 250.000, which is no small sum, so we discarded that option. Then we considered something called payment by blood or something like that, but just from the sound of that, I refused to accept that option. Eventually he decided to go to the temple of the triad for guidance, and i followed all the way up to the entrance, warning him not to do something he might regret as he entered the door that's still barred to me.

    As he came out from the temple, I saw him leaning on the staff I had given him, and he told me what he did: For six months, Tyr would take away his sight, as the way to repay his debt. I don't really agree with that, as I still believe he owes me nothing, but who am I to argue with the will of a God? Well, I already did that once, but still...

    Later on, as I spoke with Elaine, Shesarai and Willow by the gates, a bunch of ethereal dire rabbits spawned out of thin air, along with a mage warrior that helped us deal with this odd threat. After the first wave was defeated, Shesarai went outside to scout and as she returned, we were fighting the second wave of ghostly bunnies. After they were dealt with, we noticed Shesarai was glowing a weird shade of pink, and suddenly she turned into a penguin. I tried to identify what magic had been used, but aarently the lady that came with the rabbits had such power I was almost blinded!

    After she restored Shesarai to normal, she introduced herself (to Mat and me at least, as it seemed Elaine already knew her) as Leanna, daughter of Mystra. I was struck with awe at the presence of such a being, but then she started behaving erraticaly, spawning a miniaturized Balor just by the gates. I admit it was a bit amuzing, but still it was dangerous and powerful for its tiny size. After that, she summoned a few statues of dragons, which she promptly destroyed seconds later. After that we stepped outside so she can show us a new threat (or friend? I didn't really get that part as even her speech was erratic): a huge dragon several times the size of the green we defeated a few months ago. Ater that, she spawned an oversized deer, only to kill it a few seconds after, spreading blood and gore all over the place, and Leena who had just arrived and was approaching the creature. Dawn got upset with that and called Leanna mean, which made the demigoddess get upset, causing Mat to hastily face her, in an effort to protect my familiar. She almost killed him for that, but I stepped between them, trying to calm them both down. Bad choice of words from me, as I said "enough" but got a sword to the chest multiple times to the chest before I could finish the sentence "...fighting please." leaving Mat on the floor severely wounded and me almost dead as well, but all the healers that were around us rushed to get us back up, as the demigoddess left, still upset. I hope I see her again to have the chance to apologize and set straight that misunderstanding.

    After that, a Half-dragon showed up, confirming that there was indeed a red dragon on the loose, and that the huge one Leanna showed us was a Silver one, father of the one before us. After we asked her a few questions and gave her a few offerings, she departed to the skies once more. Shortly after, however, lightning started to fall all around us, prompting Elaine to set down some offerings, seemingly to appease Talos, which worked.

    Then, a dark cloud showed up above the woods, along with thick mist that made it look like the night had fallen earlier. We heard something roaring a few times and then the cloud was gone, as quick as it came, heading full speed toward the giantspire and beyond...

    I was afraid Bane would manifest himself too, seeing as pretty much every other God was doing it, but fortunately he didn't.

    It seems Leena has been restless these days, dreaming weird dreams that don't let her sleep well. I'm really worried about her, and it's starting to show, which I really didn't want to, as that will likely only upset her further, and that's the last thing she needs...
    Eventually I just wandered off again, as I feel my head might blow up at any moment with so many things happening at once... I need to relax.


  • These last few tendays haven't all that great… So much to think, so many things to worry about...

    Apparently I missed another goblin attack on Norwick. I was in Peltarch, at the temple at the time, praying to Mystra and Tyr for some guidance on how to deal with Mat and his debt. I was returning to Norwick when Locrian told me about it. And these weren't the usual run of the mill goblins either, but demonic ones.
    Returning to Peltarch, Eilonna told me she was relieved the elves had been freed, but at the same time a part of her died that day... She no longer felt connected to the dwarves as she used to, but she also knew little of the elven camp... I told her not to worry about it and to keep going forward, but I can undertand not being able to tell your child about their origins. I may have a way to fix that, but it's soon to talk about it at this time.

    I also missed the highly anticipated furtling trip. From what Willow told me, they managed to make the shield without harming the furtles, which is great! But still, there were a few casualties, Willow included, which is not so great... Back on the things I did see, we went on a little trip to the goblin hold to cool off some steam, after Jonni and Willow came to a bit of a disagreement on how to handle sensitive information. Eventually they sorted everything out though, so we're all good now.

    But I fear something's wrong with Leena... She seemed distant last I saw her, and apparently even Elaine hadn't seen her in quite a while, so I refrained from asking her out to let her sister do it, as I figured no one better than her could help out. But still, I got a bit worried... Even wandered off to practice, which I don't usually do on my own, but I really had to clear my head, stop worrying like Jonni said. After everyone left to take care of their own lives, I just wandered off on my own again, trying to sort everything out...

    Not to mention there's always the imminent threat of an attack from Thut and Bane... And I still ned to speak to María about joining the Forsworn...

    So many problems, so little solutions...


  • Another few tendays go by without me writing… It's hard to keep up to date sometimes...

    First things first, the elven camp is finally free! We kind of had to wreck some of the wards at Spellweaver, and pretty much any magic item laying about in the living room, but it was worth it. María saw the scattered dust that once were ward components (and a very tired Sirion) and immediately ordered for replacement components to be found, task for which I promptly volunteered for.

    Returning to Peltarch, Mathias told me something a bit disturbing... Seems he thinks himself my slave! He uses the term "indentured servant", but there's really no big difference to me. I don't know what kind of oaths he has been making, but I surely am not a slaver! I tried to tell him that, but he wouldn't listen, saying it's something he'd do anyway, and that he's supposed to serve me and whatnot. Oh well, maybe in time he'll get over it... I hope. It really leaves me a bit uncomfortable when he says he's indebted to me... While it's true he was a servant at the House, that doesn't mean I don't see him as an equal, as I always have. If he's concerned I might grab the wrong end of a sword is one thing, but I need to make him see whatever debt he thinks he has to me doesn't exist...
    It also seems he has some irrational fear of magic, which I found really odd, seeing as he spent all his life surrounded by weavers... Though I suppose if I saw three mages holding three very dangerous spells at their fingertips in the middle of the commons, I'd be a bit scared as well... If I didn't have a Dispel Magic at the ready pretty much at all times...

    Anyway, other than the few patrols and hunting trips, it doesn't seem to be anything else happening for now, which is good, as I could use the rest... Even had the time for some breakfast with Leena... Which turned into pretty much an entire day talking about all sorts of things. I'm beginning to think she does like me as well, but it's still a bit hard to tell...

    Finally I just ended up reminiscing all sorts of stupid things me and Mathias did as children... Boy were we foolish... So much have we changed, and yet so little... It's good to have my little brother back, even if he's not my blood, he's my brother still.


  • Seems I haven't got rid of Thut after all… I was looking for plants with Willow, Llyran, Elaine, Emellia and Yana, and he made Dawn attack me! She managed to defeat him again, but he then said I'd never be safe... I need to get rid of him. Permanently.
    Dawn has grown from that however, and even accepted to speak to Leena... Until they started fighting... It seems Leena wanted to test her will to see if Dawn'd come to me for guidance instead of being taunted to attack, and apparently she failed, but at least she learned... I think.

    Also, Mathias lives! I thought he had perished on the attack on waterdeep, but he managed to escape and made his own path to Narfell, and is now a squire under Sir Elyl, a knight who helped the elves in the Halls of Hunger. Seems as if my former life is returning, bit by bit.
    But while I'm happy about that part coming back, I'm not so keen on the other one... A senator showed up in the commons the other day, and asked to speak with me. He asked me what I thought of Peltarch and I replied that it was quite the peaceful town, if we didn't consider the constant threats that awaited outside. He then asked me for support in his own nomination for magistracy, seeing as having an Ashald backing up a candidate would increase his chances of winning. However, after asking him if i was indeed related to the Ashalds from Narfell, he told me it didn't matter, that all he wanted was the name. Hearing that, I simply replied that I wouldn't use a mere coincidence like that, and he left. Apparently the candidate was Sir Rath, though I feel the good senator omitted the reason why i declined my support, as I'm sure he wouldn't approve of such a misuse of his name himself. I simply dismissed my choice with the fact that I'm a Norwickian, seeing as I do believe Sir Rath would make a good magistrate, but supporting him publicly based on a false claim is not the way to do things. I'll still say he'd make a great magistrate to anyone who asks, but I'm not making any claims until I'm certain I can make them lawfully. It seems I did the right thing too, because that damn scar faded a bit more almost immediately.
    Shortly after, we went to deliver the artifact from the Halls of Hunger, so that Slan the Lascivious, a powerful fiend living in Oscura, may be finally defeated. We were attacked by several demons on our way back, but we managed to defeat them all and return safely to Peltarch, though they might show up again at any moment...

    I'm also becoming better at woodcarving... I managed to make a few unusable staves, and a couple shields, but there's still a lot of work to do. Practice makes perfect.