The Captain's Log: 1010 LD Book 2

Never Quiet

14th of Sunreign

We are home, but this place seems less like a home and more like, I don’t know. Not normal? It is never quiet when we are here and something always goes wrong. Sea spirits are neutral, but this place is starting to feel restless. The island that is. Parish Manor still feels like a good place to relax.

Lea is preparing to sell all of the goods as soon as she finds a solid buyer, and I’m taking a well deserved break. Tydel got himself into some trouble and Kiera convinced us to help because Gregory was partying. The trouble was some kind of bloodsport fighting ring. The Orc Boys got roped into it too and are now dead because of it. Gregory lost a close friend of his too, but Kiera and I saved Tydel so there are some good things.

Gregory punched me and broke my jaw, and I’m still picking out pieces of that frog thing. I’m going to take the best bed in the house for a change, Lea and Alenka be damned.

15th of Sunreign

My jaw hurts and I have a bit of a headache going. Here is what happened, in case anyone needs details. This is going to be a bit scattered.

We went into The Underbelly to save Tydel from what I suspect was a gang related fighting ring. Gregory hasn’t gone into much detail, but it seems that his friend Rogar was running the thing. It all fell apart when Alenka killed him. Gregory is preparing the body, and has been given leave to pay respect and grieve. I touched a nerve somewhere in there and ticked Gregory off, which is difficult to do. He lashed out and struck me, knocking me unconscious. When I came to, I returned to the manor while Alenka patched up Tydel at her alchemical shop.

Speaking of the shop, Alenka was gifted the deed to it by Kelsey DeMaria. Lea has been a bit prickly over the whole thing, and I can’t say I blame her. The Alchemist is not to be trusted, and I’m not sure Alenka is thinking straight right now with her own mad experiments on Ichor (he can talk now in case I haven’t made record of that).

The Underbelly. We found the fighting ring, and they had Tydel in the middle of it where he was being fed on by a frog beast. It was a mirror and lights trick and ended with Gregory in the fighting ring taking on Sharkshanker. Lea found Zagan at the ring as well, and when she tried to distract him, he used her to get close to Alenka and attacked her. Lea was forced to kill him, but her first blow killed Sharkshanker instead. Some kind of shared pain magic. We really need a wizard or something to identify these things…

Keira and I set on some guards as we tried to recover Tydel. There were prodding the frog beast with an electric prod. I dropped one of the guards, and Kiera took care of the other before pumping the frog full of lightning, cooking it from the inside out. I got showered with the bits. Alenka has had some time to study the remains today and is convinced that it was created by someone, rather than occurring naturally.

I was given a package with instructions to check out a warehouse for our reward from the Chest thing. I have recovered the content in the warehouse. 1 amulet, and a map. I will share more with the crew when we are away from the Island, as Fimton seems really keen to gain whatever I may have been given. They seem to think it will do some damage to House Xemnon.

Lastly, I have met with Marissa and intend to turn over The Barracuda to her. I can’t make up for what I did to her, so this should help a little bit. We had a bit of a heart to heart and she set me straight. It was… good.

Time to start calming my own Spirits. Lea expressed a willingness to help me find my family. I think it may finally be time to start thinking about it again. A new ship, a close family, and people to help pick me up if an Oni spirit starts to lead me wrong. This will be a good beginning.

Lea, Second in Command

25th of Brightreach, 1010LD

Gavin, you told me. You told me and there were witnesses and now its official AND it is written in the Log. You made me 1st Officer. Alenka told me not to write in here, and I told her to SHUT UP. I make all the difference on this crew and I’m so proud that you have come to accept that. This will be really good. You made a good choice.

- First Officer Lea De Soleil

The Man Under The Mask

27th of Brightreach, 1010LD

I see Lea was here… She has been pestering me about this. Her taking charge is new. I think it might be attractive too if I weren’t waiting for the other shoe to drop. This may be the least of our problems right now though. It seems that Jenny has taken it upon herself to start brewing coffee, which would be fine if it weren’t for her funding the coffee blends by creating nests of those damn red orb spiders. She roped Tai into seeing the red orb silk for her. I’m glad he came clean when asked because Jenny disavowed her experiments until confronted with the evidence. I had Alenka and Gregory confiscate her “collections”, but I have a bad feeling that Alenka might be in on it too. I’ll have Re Shii keep an eye on things as Gregory seems a bit distracted right now.

The death of Gregory’s friend Rogar put him into investigation mode. He found an enchanted poster indicating a fight at a place called Crickets. He wanted to get more information so I gave him the OK and he set out to see his friend Sargel. Sargel made 4 wrestler’s masks for The Iron Snapjaw and his Ferocious Four. Gregory has it in his head that he can turn around the blood sport that Rogar seems to have put into motion. I’ll entertain the idea for now. Gregory is certainly capable. I just hope I don’t have to don a mask too...

28th of Brightreach, 1010LD

We checked out Crickets to get some real information this time. I’ll be damned if we are going to walk into this fight knowing nothing. Seems like some of the Xemnon guard are in on it, and we got to see that Gregory’s dead friend is not only alive, but working with those Fimton assholes. Leah did some snooping and it sounds like he was cutting some kind of deal with The Alchemist. Gregory is still down for going to the fight though, and he headed out to sign us up. I’m going to run to see Marissa. I’m not wearing a pink and white mask.

28th of Brightreach. Update

My mask now reflects my family colors. This is much better. Things are moving fast. We have some extra muscle. Seems Pasquit the gnome took a liking to us and brought Bruthr along. He is going to be some extra muscle for this fight. I’m feeling better already. The Dauntless Drifter is on his way!

28th of Brightreach. Aftermath

Everything hurts. Everything is sore. This is not OK.

Every time we come to this dumb island, EVERY time, the experience is not pleasant. I got pummeled in a fighting ring, not on my ship, but in a dumb dwarf ruin surrounded by people I don’t like... All because I went along with Gregory’s plan. On the plus side I did win some coin by betting on Martin Hazard. Raul was a great help. We had a really good fight.

Almost forgot. Rogar, Gregory’s friend, Alenka thinks he was a simulacrum. A fake human, created by alchemy to fill in for the real deal. He came to greet us and give us the grand prize after the fight. Gregory started pressing him for information and some kind of magic wrapped around his neck, a tattoo or something, and strangled him to death. I’m not sure this is the kind of thing we should continue to deal with, but someone should know what we saw.

Voyage of the Silver Bird

29th of Brightreach, 1010LD

Gregory is “dead”. Everyone is freaking out, but I got a note from his assassin girlfriend that cryptically says so. She almost broke my thumb just to give it to me. Gregory needs to make better life decisions, because this is ridiculous.

Alenka just confirmed that he is in a coma state. She isn’t sure how long. 2 days according to the note. And something about us needing to leave. Guess we’re stocking up and departing. I sent Lea out to try to find some additional talent for the ship too. I’m going to let the elves we hired go. We don’t need a situation because Kiera and a group of Tashminaen elves can’t get along.

30th of Brightreach, 1010 LD

Does everything about our little family have to scream “interesting”? Lea hit up the nearby brothels to get new crew. Rather than grab sailors, she stole the brothel workers. That’ll make me popular down on the docks. They’re green crew, not much sailing talent between them, but they seem keen on workers rights and understanding their role on the ship as sailors rather than for their services. We’ll leave that option open to them, and treat it just like booze and drugs. If they don’t make it a problem, then it won’t be.

We christen the new ship in the morning. Then we can finally get back to something normal.

1st of Sunreign, 1010 LD

The Silver Bird is away! I guided her through the channel and into open waters. Our Emii is pleased, even without a figurehead to house it. I wonder if it wants a name too? We are heading to Venom Bay. I’m hoping we can pick up some information about my family, or any Jospei in the area. If we can find a flotilla we can narrow down where the Endili flotilla might be. Perhaps we can do a cabbage run while we’re at it too. A little extra spending money is better than nothing.

7th of Sunreign, 1010 LD

This stop wasn’t helpful. There was very little information about flotillas in the area. Sounds like they are congregating on the Northern end of the island, as well as the Eastern coast of Na Ahn Wae. There are plenty of river inlets and islands for them to hide on between here and there, and they will definitely be on the move. That makes them hard to find, but adding to that are reports of Merr activity in the North, and it’s Siren season. Earplugs for everyone!

A cabbage run is out of the question too. Leah sniffed around for goods to trade in, and the easiest to purchase and carry are mud bricks, but at best we will only make a couple gold off of it if we fill the whole ship, which will slow our progress. I am undecided if we are going to carry any of this

Alenka wanted to make a run into the mire around Venom Bay so she could catch a snake. I allowed it with the requirement that it was only a short excursion whether we found one or not. I’m glad we didn’t have to test that. Navigating Venom Bay’s root maze sounds like a great way to drown.

We are heading to Bakairn to check for supplies, and then to Keig Lac to see what the expedition is doing.

9th of Sunreign, 1010LD

Great sailing weather. The wind was on our side for the journey between Venom Bay and Bakairn. I checked for goods that we can traffic. No cabbage run options, but Alenka was dying to get her hands on some of the mages components that they mine up from the mountains. 500gp pulled from the treasury for this. She is planning on making fireworks. With any luck they will turn a bit of profit.

10th of Sunreign, 1010LD

Keira decided to have an impromptu Merr drill without making concrete plans with the Officers. Needless to say, it failed. Half of the crew went below as directed. A portion of them above deck milled about like they didn’t know what to do, and the rest tried to arm themselves with the nearest objects. They were shaken by the test. More training will be required.

Lea mentioned to me that some of the crew have been asking why we didn’t pick up trade goods in Bakairn. They are already concerned about pay… Lea is going to be holding a few Adventurer’s Protocol meetings before we reach Keig Lac so they aren’t confused further. I think some of them will be getting off the boat when we get to the next town, but there are plenty with heads on their shoulders. I’d say we should start doing contracts for new crew, but if they don’t want to be here then I don’t want them.

12th of Sunreign, 1010LD

Keira really likes to create headaches. The crew was roused to an impromptu siren attack this evening during “game time”. People went below deck but didn’t put in earplugs. Ichor told them they are all dead now. You know what, Keira isn’t the problem. This one is on Alenka. Lea insists on scheduled drills going forward, Keira feels that will defeat the purpose of the drills, and at least one cabin girl I know found the whole thing amusing and sat there eating popcorn.

Additional training will be done. Again, the crew is shaken. Raul plans to lead more team building sessions which I have given the go ahead to. We need to make these people feel safe before they will trust us.

13th of Sunreign, 1010LD

Keig Lac is in sight. Keira and Alenka were sent to investigate and have reported that there is a large tent city around the entrance bearing House Diemeda banners. Looks like the Joikun Expedition cleared out and the dwarves learned about it. I am all for sailing onward, but some members of the crew have an interest in double checking that the expedition was safe. We will head into land and check it out. Rae Shii is in charge per the Adventurer’s Protocol.

Nothing ever goes smooth. Gregory is a mess and we now have in tow the last survivors of an expedition sent out by House Deimeda. 1 Dwarf (Dan Kras Diemeda) and 2 Ephryn (Fii, and Pal Tu). Gregory is stable right now, but we need to make haste back to Foriedy. I think every bone in his body is broken. Gods willing, the winds will favor us as we sail.

15th of Sunreign, 1010LD

Gregory is stable, as are our passengers. Alenka does an incredible job. I will relax the rules a bit for her birthday. I think that is in a couple days. Note to self, ask Lea.

I’m not sure if it is really important that our previous “adventure” is recorded, but writing it down helps me cope, so here we go. Rae Shii was left in charge and we ventured into Keig Lac. An expedition camp sat abandoned outside the ruin. We found old dwarven siege defenses active (extremely dangerous. Sharp!). After bypassing them, we gained entry to the Hall of Kings within Keig Lac where it looks like the Diemeda expedition holed up.

They retreated because of a massive Cyclops that we later encountered (it tried to kill Gregory). The interior of the ruins treated the well to begin with, but constant Kobold hit and run attacks made them push further in. Curiosity got the better of us too, because we followed the same path the dwarves had taken, working through an old dwarven barracks and then eventually to a detention chamber where we discovered Dan Kras and his Ephryn assistants.

As best I can piece together from what they recounted, the dwarves ventured inward only to be met by a furious Kobold attack that tried to push the further inward to the Keig’s Parade Field. The Kobolds are worshipping a young black dragon, that the expedition was fed to. Dan Kras suspects that some of the expedition may have made it to the King’s chamber, and from there they would have pressed on in search of House Diemeda’s ancestral home. In all, the expedition consisted of 14 dwarves (more than half of House Diemeda), and a host of hired human and ephryn mercenaries. Only 3 made it out.

If we are hopeful, which Dan Kras is, then at least 10 broke off when the dragon attacked, and they made it to the other side of the Parade Field.

While we spoke with Dan Kras, the kobolds were quick to act, scurrying in behind us. Gregory blocked their way into the Detention mess using stone tables to cover the doors. Lea was even able to speak with them. The miserable creatures were trying to force us into the Parade Field as well, which they succeeded in doing after setting up a crazy number of traps. Gregory tried to set some of them off and succeeded in collapsing one of the hallways. But I have a crafty crew, and Raul knows enough magic now to make us invisible.

It is incredibly difficult to move when you can’t see your own limbs. That becomes less of an issue when it is pitch black. We relied on Alenka’s bat senses (provided by a potion) to invisibly sneak through the Parade Field. The sounds were unnerving. Kobolds scurrying about in the dark, while we moved as quietly as we could to not become a dragon’s next meal. Kobolds can smell though, and they caught on to us. We slipped through a trapdoor back into the Hall of Kings and made a run for the exit. Everyone successfully skirted the Keig defenses on the way our, but Gregory was grazed as he hauled out the dwarf and ephryn. And then we were out.

You would think that being out would be great. Sunny. Warm. No Kobolds. No. Wrong. All the cyclops… In a blur, it came bearing down on us like a crazed beast. I snapped off a shot, striking it near its eye! Before it could turn on me, Gregory popped one of Alenka’s potions and grew in size to match the one eyed freak. The cyclops swing a tree at Gregory but it didn’t know it was squaring off against the best wrestler in the Isles. Gregory pinned its arm and masterfully set about subduing the other. Just as he pinned the creature in place, it leapt into the air and body slammed him into the ground. There was an awful crunch as Gregory’s bones became jelly, and then the monster stood up, minus Gregory.

Then a flash of red! At its ankles, sword in hand stood Lea. Full of fire and grid, she cut out the monster’s tendon, which would have been great if it hadn’t dropped dead crushing Raul and Gregory (a second time… you’d think Gregory would set out to appease whatever god cursed him). Some quick handywork from Alenka shrunk the cyclops down to a manageable size, and we returned to the loving embrace of the Silverbird (a bit much? Is the ship motherly?)

Now we are sailing back to Foriedy to get Gregory fixed up, and return the dwarf home to a much smaller House. Nobody from my family died though, and for that I am grateful. Time to go find some booze.

17th of Sunreign, 1010LD

It’s Alenka’s Birthday! Celebrations are in order this evening!

A patch of poorly, perhaps drunken writing boldly covers much of the page

ITS ALENKAS BIRTHDAY

This is followed by a bright red lipstick mark clearly the shape of Lea’s lips

28th of Sunreign, 1010LD

We have arrived in Foriedy. Corvosa granted us entrance to their docks and questioned me about how I liked the ship and generally just talked shop. It was nice. Gregory was taken to the monks to see what they could do, but House Diemeda sent a Cleric of the White Rose after they heard from Dan Kras. He is healing. Raul is all patched up now too. We are in ship shape. I will offer to assist Diemeda in recovering the barge ships that were left at Keig Lac.

29th of Sunreign, 1010LD

Diemeda declined assistance with moving the barges, but did welcome us to convoy with them when they sail back (they heard from Dan Kras I was wanting to sail that way again in search of family). We were instead honored, with all Officers being names “True Friend of House Diemeda”. Clearly an honor, but the title came with gifts too. 20,000gp, and 4 suits of a Dwarf armor. A damn good haul for a day’s work.

Some of the crew that joined us for the maiden voyage of the Silverbird have left the ship. Lea is working on replacing them before we convoy out on the 3rd of Glasswater. If we time this right, I have a good shot at reaching the year’s gathering if it is on the Northern side of Na Ahn Wae. It isn't a guarantee, but the stars might be aligning... just this once.

Reunion

1st of Glasswater, 1010LD

We have departed Foriedy and have joined in convoy with Diemeda’s ships. It seems that Diemeda was genuine when they suggested to me that the entire house is leaving Foriedy. Seems like it might shake things up on the island, but that is a problem for someone else now. I am going to find my family.

Lea found us some tag-a-longs and some extra crew. She found a ground of battered women who were running from the law, or from terrible homes. I don’t care which. We will take them to someplace safe, or give them a home here on the ship. The new crew are a group of half orcs that call themselves the Half-Orc Strongarm Union. They appear to have banded together to protect each other from labor disputes (?). I’m not sure how well that has worked for them, but once they were given proper roles, they settled in without any trouble.

Entertainingly, some of them appear to be of the ‘other’ persuasion, and have found Raul to be a proper ship’s attraction. Poor Lea. Ha!

7th of Glasswater, 1010LD

We hit a pretty decent storm that took us off course. Diemeda’s convoy is no longer in sight. I have sent Kiera to the skies to check it out. Seems they are several hours off course, but we are still heading in the same direction. Raul has been directed to adjust navigation so we rejoin with them. It is going to cost us a day of travel, but we’re safer together.

10th of Glasswater, 1010LD

We have arrived at Keig Lac. The winds are poor and we didn’t make good time, but we’re here now. There is just enough wind to let us smell the rotting corpse of the Cyclops and not enough to fill our sails. The dwarves had oars on their barges and have since departed, leaving me with a splinter from “Barge 1” so we can join back up in the future. I have a bad feeling about this weather…

13th of Glasswater, 1010LD

Doldrums. They don’t call the season Glasswater just because. Gregory moved the ship a good five miles using a water walking amulet. All of the women on the ship are now enamored with him and have been gushing about muscles and a good tan, and I heard something about sweat. They can have it. I’m perfectly fine staying in my cabin with the windows open and my skin safely un-burnt underneath my clothing.

15th of Glasswater, 1010LD

The wind has picked up and we are sailing again. We are going to run the North side of Na-Ahn Wae and see what we can see.

20th of Glasswater, 1010LD

What the hell Sunriders. Are they always arrogant pricks? I should be excited to be around my own people but that dick Ando had to go muck it up. “Why so old Endili?” “Bet you can’t keep up”. Screw them.

We are at Union Island. I’ll let the crew get a quick stretch on land if they want, since the water is safe here, and then we have to go. Sunriders say that there is a Gathering happening on Tenbow Island. Based on my maps, that should be on the North end of the Orchid Archipelago, a crescent of islands extending up from the Wellspring. Sailing directly there will take us into Merr territory. Raul suggested playing it safe and sailing down to Tepid Pool, and cutting across deep water until we get to Tenbow. This sounds the safest and is what we are going to do.

28th of Glasswater, 1010LD

Tenbow is in sight. The Silverbird is flying Endili colors to announce our arrival. I’ve already seen skrims cutting in and out of the bays along the island. I’ve tried to find a gathering like this for years. It reminds me of times long past. I wonder if my family will be here. I think I saw flags for Reccer and Magudo. Seems like there is a handful of Lotrac here too. This might be it!

___________________________

This is bullshit. I expected to be treated a little like a child, but an hour long beating from the floatila matriarchs is crap. Somehow I am to blame for everything! My mom is dead, my dad is a drunk who gambled away his freedom, and the rest of my float clan was banished from contact with the bulk of the families? What good is that? Shouldn’t family be helping each other? Instead they felt that the Endili family attracted an Oni, and now they’re all expelled from the Gathering?

That isn’t the only bit either. Royce Magudo rolled up acting like king shit and struck me in the face screaming that I stole his wife, or that she left because of me. Turns out after I left Brooke was engaged to him and the Magudo family treated her like trash. They didn’t say that specifically, but I know Brooke. If she were cutting up, it’s because they weren’t paying her the necessary attention. She and I never had that problem together. So Brooke runs off, and Magudo struts up and gives me a shiner. Maybe if he wasn’t such a dick she’d still be here.

Then they all had the nerve to look down on the gifts I bought them. 4000 gold! I put all that in and didn’t even get half a thank you. They just soured over it. I mean, here I am, showing my worth and value to the family and they don’t even see it.

And the only one showing me any sympathy after my beating? ANDO GODS DAMNED SUNRIDER.

___________________________

I’ve had a chance to calm down. Jenny gave me Mirian Reccer’s shoe that Raul mended so I could represent myself in a better light. Brooke definitely ran off with the rest of my family. It has been a couple years, and there is certainly some resentment and sadness between the other clans and the Endili family. They don’t seem to hold that against me, but they are putting the weight to fix it on my shoulders. As the eldest Endili male with a sailing ship, it is up to me to make this right.

Mirian pressed that I need to find her daughter and join with her as we were always mean to be. I have been directed to say goodbye to my mom too. I never thought it would be like this mom. You and dad were always there, at the end of this quest. I could see you standing there, welcoming me home. And now… I’ll find you, and give you a last farewell.

29th of Glasswater, 1010LD

BOOM! 6th place in the Skrim Races. Ando boasted that I’d be last. In your face! Granted, he still won, those Sunriders always do. But that guy; He isn’t so bad.

Alenka put on a huge fireworks display for the night. I don’t think that anyone has ever seen anything quite like it. The bursts of color and light sent thunder rolling across a cloudless sky. It reminded me that it isn’t the money that matters to my people. It is the experience, and joy of getting something that you can’t always put your hands on. I truly feel at home for the first time in a long time.

30th of Glasswater, 1010LD

There was a strange red tide this morning. I learned about it when I was young, but couldn’t recall what it meant at the time. I remember now. The waters were made up of tons of jellyfish of varied sizes. The Merr use these ocean creatures to stun or incapacitate people before they arrive. Some of the old tales tell of fishmen coming to shore to steal away brides or young to feast on.

At the rear edge of the tide was a large hunk of flotsam debris cover in coral. And just as the tide warned, there were the Merr. My people scrambled to leave the island while we acted as the rear guard, just as my family has always done. The Jospei are safely scattered and the Merr did not pursue. It is a tense reminder of the dangers that are found in the deep.

4th of Grey Cloud, 1010LD

Re Shii reports seeing dancing lights in the distance. Alenka calls it a Deep Lurker, some kind of ocean fish that lures sailors in to feast on them. She told me a story they tell on the mainland of a similar swamp creature called a will-o-the-wisp. I have heard tales that the lights will call you in like a siren’s call. It would be best to keep this one under wraps.

A message written by Lea sits just beneath this entry. The handwriting is spread wide and pressure marks carry through to the next couple pages. Small ink splatters dot each of the capitalization with blots at the punctuation.

Gavin, I swear if I find out about things in the log book before you tell me I am going to hex you to an early grave. We need to talk. NOW.

Several more lines have been inked out after this, apparent responses from Gavin that he probably thought better of.

5th of Grey Cloud, 1010LD

The lights are closer tonight. Few people have noticed, and the fewer we tell the safer we will be. I spent some quiet time this morning paging through one the old journals that Ambrose kept when he was a freebooter and found something - I think he may have seen the lights too. I am re-writing it here in case we can make use of the information in the future.

It is out there again, lights in the ocean. I saw them briefly last night before retiring and the lookout confirmed that it appeared to be a ship. There was other vessels by daylight, and yet here they are again. Tonight they dance and flare across the distant horizon, never completely vanishing from sight. The men are spooked and have started asking if the there is a Praff on board bringing us ill fortune.

I have ordered all non-essential crew below deck until we have properly assessed the threat. Were it tangible, some beast of the deep, I could give them something to focus on, but they think us haunted. The way they move is mesmerizing, but I feel no pull to go toward them so I feel safe saying they are not sirens.

Finwart [the ship’s cook] believes that it may be gases rising from the ocean floor and the bursting into flames. He calls them Midnight Wisps. Far fetched perhaps, but it is an explanation that should let the men sleep.

I showed Alenka and she thinks it is unlikely and that a more plausible explanation would be glowing plankton. I’ll have Re Shii and Kyras alert us if there are any changes, but I feel a bit more at ease knowing this isn’t stalking us.

6th of Grey Cloud, 1010LD

The lights are much further was tonight. They are really strange though, and don’t appear until very late at night. Alenka expressed a desire to get a sample which I shot down. I’m hoping we leave whatever it is behind after this night.

7th of Grey Cloud, 1010LD

No lights reported tonight. Clear skies and smooth sailing.

11th of Grey Cloud, 1010LD

We arrived at Ash Beach and went ashore to see the Lotrac family there (I forget their name). We stopped at the first bar we found, a rundown shack locals call The Watertank. Plenty of Ephryn and Orcs there and they were all wearing Jospei scarves, as trophies I think. When we asked about the Lotrac we were pointed in their direction but nobody seemed too pleased to be telling us. Very poor reception for a bar, and a cold atmosphere. I would not recommend it.

The Lotrac weren’t particularly accommodating either. We found their boat propped up on repair stilts, but no work has been done to fix the damage. I get the feeling that maybe they were being kept there against their will, but they have plenty of patronage. When I asked about the Endili’s in the area the guy grew short with me. I guess the leader of Ash Beach has something against Endili. Lea pressed him for more information.

It seems that my family frequents a port north of here. I image that may be part of why we are hated. Attacking pirates I’d guess. The guy slipped me a note that said “E. Cursed”, whatever that means. E being my father Elias? Or maybe just Endili? Is it a regular curse, or an Oni curse? I obviously knew they were already “cursed”. Lotracs can be so unhelpful.

Our departure from Ash Beach has been mostly uneventful. Two small ships pulled out of the harbor with us and our lookouts are keeping an eye on them. They don’t pose much of a threat by the look of them.

13th of Grey Cloud, 1010LD

Damn it.

We have lost good people today. Alenka will have recorded their names in her crew logs, but I am making record here too.

Dave Jr.

Kelly Samuels

Nicolas Hjerm

Channing Cartwig

Norman Jares

I will address the crew after we get the injured sorted out and make sure no one else is being added to this list. I didn’t take the treat serious enough...

We were caught off guard by the two smaller vessels that have been following us. As day broke they began flying Midnight Council colors and started on a pursuing course. I ordered siege weapons to be readied so we could hit them where it hurt once they were in range. Both ships were fast, and had Ephryn crew. Springals and crossbows were what I was expecting but they opened with magic. Some fire spell that hit one of the siege crews and killed them. Damaged the ship too. Gregory is assessing the damage.

My ship is like a damned pirate magnet. We never should have moored in port with it.

14th of Grey Cloud, 1010LD

The burials have been done. May our drift blissfully in the afterlife.I need a break. And a drink. This has all been a bit much.

Mother

28th of Greycloud, 1010LD

We traveled North between Pforai and arrived at Ka Ro Sen off of the island of Ka Oh Lee. Our first point of investigation was on the northernmost side of the island. Deep waters made for easy access to land, and Kiera indicated that this showed promise during her flyover. I soon learned that this was because of some Elven ruin she saw, and not any indication of my family. Kiera, Alenka, and even Gregory seemed to take an interest in the ruins the longer we stayed, but I was finally successful in shooing them out though it was to much grumbling. We came here to find my family, not to play in the ruins.

It took most of the day to get down to the Southern end and get situated. We will set out right away in the morning. I learned that Kiera actually saw smoke rising out of the forest over here. I don’t know what I’m going to do with her…

30th of Greycloud, 1010LD

My sister has been on this island for a long time. Long enough to set up some devious traps that almost got us killed. It seems I weather one hell of a night. Ulgra told me I had to commune with our mother, and to do so required drinking Seer’s Draught, a poisonous mix of, I don’t know. Alenka said she didn’t want to tell me and settled with “It’s not science”.

I vaguely recall a conversation with my mother’s spirit, but it doesn’t sit well with me. She seemed too carefree, what with Father having gone out searching for me and dragging the family down into debt. This isn’t how any of this was supposed to go. Ulgra insists we perform a burial at sea, and then set out to see if we can find the flotilla. They were supposed to be back soon but never arrived at the island to meet with Ulgra. That is what we will do next I suppose.

Farewell my dearest mother.

4th of Redbreeze

NO. No. No. No.

I can’t… it is unacceptable. How can my sisters act so calmly about our mother’s passing! After so many years keeping watch over mom’s bones, Ulgra scooped them up and dropped them into the ocean with only a few words! And then when we finally met up with Mirri, both she and Shandy greeted Ulgra with “So Mom’s finally at rest?” AND without even a hint of emotion!? No. Worse. They even seemed happy about it! This was our mother! She raised us and taught us so many things, and they acted so callus about it.

And more! Brooke’s fate. She was sweet and carefree, but to be driven to drug use and selling her body? NO. I cannot accept it. I won’t accept it. We will fix the flotilla and then go get her. She is MY love, and no pirate, or pirates village is going to keep us apart again!

The Rescuers

10th of Redbreeze

Fine, medium sized handwriting fills the next several pages, using only one side of each page. On the back of the page, centered at the top is the word NOTES. The word is underlined with a fancy curly cue at the lines end. The spacing and lines are even across each page for clear legibility.

Scribe Jenny here. Listening in and taking notes, so you don’t have to (and because Lea said the captain is compromised and asked that all of these details, including this explanation be provided in the log for future memorandum).

First speaker, Captain Gavin Endili, henceforth noted as C.

C begins formalities and setting out direction.

We will be setting sail for Artisia’s Spire now that the flatboat has been repaired. It should be noted here that repairs were required proceeding sabotage attempts courtesy of the brigands inhabiting the spire.

C dictates that the number one priority of this mission is the rescue and safe recovery of one Brooke Rekker. (Rekker? Recker? Not sure on the spelling. Do they break things? Is that the reason for the family name? Or is this a foreboding omen?)

Gregory and Lea begin the redirect C’s attention to the problem at hand, opening the floor to sister Mirri, henceforth M.

M begins an explanation of the Spire, including ordinance and political nuance.

The Spire municipality is called Port Scabbard by the locals, and is a ramshackle assortment of ships that “washed” up against it over the years, both a result of accidental run-ins with the rocks, and in-fighting. C has never really gotten a good look at the place as chaperon’s are provided at the prophets orders to user her or Danny to her cave and then back again. They are provided supplies for their departure and thought they were on fairly friendly terms with the people there until the sabotage occurred.

M believes magic is being used to keep the place from burning down, as large fires are not allowed.

Port “authorities” are outfitted like adventurers, but there is only a loose structure to them. A threat to one is a threat to all. The dominantly utilize crossbows tipped with electric tipped bolts, but M mentioned seeing what may have been gas or acid tips in their arsenal as well. Armor is of fair quality, with officers having the best pick, not unlike a ship I know.

M describes the Port as having 3 tiers. A dock level makes up the lower portion and is dedicated to storage and poor quality living quarters. The 2nd tier is for the officers, though frequent mingling occurs between the two. The 3rd tier is reserved for the Port VIPs seeking an audience with The Prophet.

M describes the political landscape of the Port. It is broken up into roughly 3 factions. The Bitterthroat Cutlass, the Midnight Council, and the ‘Tweeners’, a neutral group that makes up everyone who has not sworn allegiance to Cutlass or Council. From the way it is described, the Tweeners are behoove only to themselves and would be just as powerful as the other 2 is they weren’t so fractured.

The Council took up a position of authority ‘on dock’, which I think means the Port. M did not go into full detail, but it was implied that they are not simply a port authority like the ones we find at Foriedy or Darigad. The Port is headed by Captain Salamander and his First Officer Notch. M has met with them several times and found them to be crude but cordial. Necessary for maintaining the tenuous truce between factions.

The Cutlass initially tried to blockade the Port, and still maintains a strong naval force that scrutinizes and sometimes boards incoming ships. They are less captious about outbound travel, and usually let M pass without much trouble. Their authority figures shift frequently, which likely contributes to their inability to take the Port by force.

M concludes by letting the others ask questions, but there is not much to be said. Without a map to guide us* through the Port this could be a very dangerous mission

*us refers to the officers and not me.

C wants to charge in and save The Prophet.

Gregory thinks we could take our time and get a feel for the place. Kiera wants to sail back and continue working to unlock the mysteries of the ruins we found on Ulgra’s island and Lea looks ready to be done with all of the conversations. I will have her test out my new “instant” coffee. It needs some flavor work, but I think I have a solid start. With that, I have nothing else to add.

Scribe Jenny signing out.

12th of Redbreeze

We have arrived just out of view of Artisia’s Spire. Keira has confirmed our position from the sky. I’m going to get Brooke back.

12th of Redbreeze, Late Evening

Not my Gavin?

This can’t be.

There is clearly something there affecting her. The Oni. It was obvious; the other voice in the cave rumbling from the blue curtain sky. That was the Oni and it is keeping her hostage. And she kissed me. Oh gods, she kissed me. I will save her. I will protect her. I will get her back.

13th of Redbreeze

Alenka did it! Last night she gave me a potion, tincture of distilled dreams or something is what she called it. It let me dream. It let me control the dreams! And I saw Brooke. It was real. I know it, because I was able to interact with Lea and she was a fox, like when she puts on her ring but she had...

The rest of Gavin’s log has been vigorous scratched out, effectively removing anything that he had written. The blackened lines are followed by comments from Lea.

Since the Captain is writing nonsense in the log books like it is his personal journal, I will make sure relevant information gets recorded here. We landed at Port Scabbard and have set out to learn whatever we can about the place.

Gavin fucked up and is no longer allowed in the Prophet’s cave until he or Mirri makes good with Captain Scalamander (Midnight Council). Scabbard’s “Captain” rules this place ruthlessly. We were witness to the unnecessary murder of a youth who challenged him. The boy was a “man” but judging from how old he looked I’d say he never made that transition.

But we can do right by the people here. Alenka and I have set out to provide medical care to the ‘Tweeners in exchange for information. Raul and Gregory are working the main pubs (The Loanman and The Right Place). Here is what we have learned.

Raul found that the Council keeps Port Scabbard in check through a long standing threat. If the port becomes too much of a problem, they will send in their vampires to turn a portion of the population. They also don’t much care for the Endilli family, citing that “bad things” start(ed) to happen when Mirri and family are around. Experts making simple mistakes or having basic accidents that wouldn’t normally occur. It doesn’t mean that this Oni is real, but I can feel something off in this place. Hard to pinpoint. It feels like an untucked corner of a freshly made bed.

Alenka caught wind of a potion maker through which all potions, or perhaps components good and bad, flow. They call her The Crone, and she takes shelter in a crows nest in Krol’s Hammer, an industrial court within an old ship. Sounds like the labor there is focused on recycling goods, chemically cleaning or breaking down acquired goods which are then converted into the needs of the Midnight Council, or sold at a premium to the Cutlass and ‘Tweeners. I have a bad feeling our paths are going to cross sooner than later, but as long as I keep screening Alenka’s house calls, we should be able to keep our heads low for a while longer.

14th of Redbreeze

It worked! The tonic that Alenka gave me let me dream of Brooke, and more interact with her! I know it was real this time. No doubt in my mind. She wants to stay in the cave, but I know there is something else going on. Something is keeping her there. I’m going to try again tonight.

___________________________

After consulting with Alenka and Danny, they think I might be connecting with Brooke’s mind when I enter the dream state. If another person were to take the tonic and sleep alongside me, they may be able to enter this “dream” too. We will try to help Brooke from there; Lea will join me.

15th of Redbreeze

A fine even cursive script is written within the next entry. This handwriting belongs to Alenka.

It seems that the lucid dream tincture was a definite success, but not without incident. Both Captain Gavin and First Mate Lea have had their duties suspended for today by medical order after Gavin came in contact with some kind of Shadow Being within the dream. It seems to be affecting his cognitive abilities. I am brewing what I am confident is a remedy for his current state. Lea was not affected.

Recorded diagnosis and full details of suspect affliction have been recorded in the medical logs.

Continued events may be documented after the Captain is back on his feet

16th of Redbreeze

Everything is. Doesn’t make sense. Saw Brooke but she wanted to kill a whale to see its… ... its something. Inside stuff.

A black shadow. Reached out, but fox girl stopped it. Stabbing chills. In my back. Spaces I can’t reach. Scrambles my head. Can’t think. Focus is slow. So many people I’ve hurt. So many people I’ve failed. Abandoned. Is it all a sleep? Does it happen every day? Oh God’s is it happening?

18th of Redbreeze

We are back aboard the Silverbird, and have set sail for Grey Watch without Brooke in company. I’m not done with this, but our time at the port has run out. My sisters will be taking the flotilla back to Ulgra’s island before they make another visit to Port Scabbard. I have to accept that this is the best course of action. We were only scouting this time. Next time we will get Brooke out. What’s important is that I know she is safe for now.

I have been wracked by nightmares since my last lucid dreaming attempt and it is affecting my mental state. Alenka’s medicine is correcting that, but she fears that we will need to find a more permanent solution in case her supplies run low. She says that magic can correct the issue, but when it persists like this is, long term damage could occur. It seems I need to fix me before I can save Brooke.

Lea paid Brooke a visit when we were still at port. She was attacked by the Oni. It is very real, physical, and it can be hurt. She stabbed it with her sword and wounded it. There was pyrite dust left on the blade of her rapier. By leaving the port we are giving it time to heal. It will be more ready for us, but we’ll come with a plan. We’ll bring all the magic that our gold can buy. We are going to need it.

The Oni has several abilities that stood out when Lea encountered it. The being snuffed out all light in the cave at the snap of its finger. It has claws, or maybe mimicked Lea’s own weapon when it attacked her. It possesses some ability to traverse dreams. It can mimic forms and voices. It can pull items across distances; I don’t know how it did this, but I left “the map” on the Silverbird, and somehow it was on my person after encountering the shadow in my dream.

Magical lighting might be able to combat its ability to turn out lights, or maybe we can find something that will let us see in the dark. Gregory has told tales of monks that could still fight when blindfolded. We could get some training to do this.

Weapon mimicry doesn’t sound like something we can stop unless we were to only strike it with our fists.

Not sure how to deal with its dream abilities either. Perhaps the Red Sisters have something that we could use to disrupt its mental abilities, but no one seems keen to head back to Halim’Ra. I don’t blame them. That ritual the Scarlet Order of Aeluna was performing; it wasn’t good.

Form mimicry can be dealt with if we stick to the spoken codes that the Officers have been developing for hairy situations.

I will get her back. She may be safe right now, but I’ll be damned to leave her with Pirates after finding her again. Wait just a little longer my love. We’ll be back.

Convention of Mystics

25th of Redbreeze

We arrived at Grey Watch. I am still plagued by nightmares, but Alenka’s formula is keeping my mind in tact. Gods I’m tired. Lea is out looking to see what our options are. I should go see if Patience is still here. Or maybe I shouldn’t. She might not want to see me. I’m going to see her.

Patience is somehow the head of the brothel. Why would she take over? It’s not like she liked what she was doing, so I don’t understand why she took charge. I poured my heart out to her, but she seemed more interested in my pants. Then when I didn’t act she got cold. What the hells.

Lea is back and found a cleric of the god of travels here that we can petition. I’m going out.

Do people not understand economics around here?! The cleric wanted a donation of blankets and clothing. I went out to get numbers and found we could get bolts of cloth that they could use to make more clothing than I could buy outright. Of course, when I went back to the cleric to get more information he gave me some BS, something like “donations are a reflection of the man” blah blah. Crock of crap is what it is.

I bought them the damn clothes, and some raw bolts to boot. He did some ritual to cleanse my curse and now I’m done. I’m going to sleep.

No rest for the weary. We had to leave Gray Watch in a hurry, and just outran a Midnight Council dreadnought that launched several faster vessels after us. We left them far behind, and I finally feel like we have the upper hand. Kiera has honed her skills to Will the wind to fill our sails, and Raul can calm the seas with a whistle. They couldn’t do that. There are still patches of mist all around us, and Alenka keeps going on about a lizard man or dragon kin or something at Gray Watch. We aren’t going back.

5th of Chillgrasp

10 days! 10 whole days vanished thanks to some ritual courtesy of the fey. Our night on the 25th got less enjoyable as the night progressed. Something pulled at the ship, and I took the helm. Lea said it was fey magic, and I should trust it. Something about the “Master” calling or inviting us. I have a feeling we were almost free of their power, but I put my trust in Lea. None of us feel any effects from the time gap, but Alenka is adamant that her animals were fed, but not cleaned up over 10 days. Her supplies confirm this.

Alenka has a theory that the time gap was not felt by more intelligent beings. Food was given to Ichor (also 10 days worth), but he has no memory of being fed. It is definitely strange, but the waters we are in are now unknown. I cannot track our location with the kincoin. The compass spins without purpose. We are along the shore of some mystery island and we were greeted on our approach by the Merr Janery, who we encountered several years ago. She claims that this island is Zol-va. Sounds very much like solva, the good spirits of my people. When we reach this promised Master, I will need to ask about the connection.

We are going to rest for a day, and then the officers and I will head inland to see what we can find. We have been invited to do so.

6th of Chillgrasp

I’m not sure why I’m making a note in here since I might never see this log again. We are placing our possessions into a chest that makes the items disappear, just because a sign says “Bring only yourself”. Gregory says we must strip down to only the most basic necessities because Monk rites or some nonsense. I’m not giving up my kin-coin. It is part of me, and like hells I’m feeding it to some chest of destruction, even if Gregory has convinced the others.

This place is strange. One long hike inland, with Lea in fox form prancing like a child the whole time. We walked for hours, and she still seems to be bounding with energy. We finally reached a village, but were we in any other place we’d have drawn weapons and prepared before walking in. This place is home to Ogres and fey, the likes of which I have never seen. I’ve done my best not to stare in awe or act threatening, as have the others, but it was hard not to be unnerved by the stone giant that is the village mayor. I have never seen Kiera so unnerved by something.

We passed through the village to a great stone stair that heads up into the mountain, which is where we saw the dumb sign. It also means this is about as much stalling as I am going to manage. Gregory is looking at me like he wonders what the deal is, and Alenka just dropped the last of her things into the chest. Gregory thinks maybe they were teleported to the top, but that would be far too convenient. Only bad things have come from convenience lately. Best to prepare for the worst. Goodbye book.

10th of Chillgrasp

We have passed all of the trails. They were a bother. Sit around for a day in silence, followed by begging, working, and being tempted by passion fruit. Gregory took it all in stride, and even Lea powered through things without much trouble. Alenka looked rough for a bit, and I definitely felt like I was wasting my time, which makes this latest decision even harder.

We spoke with the Master of the temple, a Rakshasa called Zafashad. I explained what was happening, and then he read my mind to get more information. He thinks that the Oni is tied to someone in my bloodline which is supposedly a good thing. By teaching me how to harness Ki he can help me to make a ‘Ki Matrix’ that can trap the spirit within, and then return it to the island to be contained.

Gregory stressed that learning to use Ki is not simple. It takes most monks years, maybe decades of study, but Zafashad assures me that he can focus training to 6 months of so. I’m out of options unless we want to do something stupid like sneaking into Immorashi’s Lair, and I’m sure that suggestion was a ruse pushed by the Oni. We aren’t going to do that. I’ll stay here and train, along with Gregory. Alenka and Lea are going to stay too, but they have their own interests they will be entertaining. Kiera and the others will be doing cabbage runs to keep the ship in order (Re Shi assures me she will ensure these orders are followed).

11th of Chillgrasp

Day One and all the time has been wasted waxing the floors in the hallway of the Ambition wing. Who keeps a mirror floor with only ceiling handholds as a means for crossing!? Every time a boot touches the floor it makes a mark, and then out of nowhere someone will show up and order you to clean it. I’m a ship’s Captain gods damn it! Being forced into scrubbing the poop all day is not training.

It wasn’t made any better having Gregory giving a lecture on Chi and Ki while watching me from the doorway. He kept pointing out new grime marks that I accidentally made while cleaning the previous grime but now I can tell you that Chi is internal and Ki is spiritual power made external. This is stupid.

15th of Chillgrasp

What the hell. My daily routine so far: wake up, try to cross the mirror hall for food and mark the floor. Scrub it clean to get food, repeat as I head out to formations. Fetch water because I was late. Try to finish strength training while other initiates spout half memorized mantras. Jump over the floor for lunch which leaves dust on the mirror floor which means more cleaning which makes me late for the next round of torture training. Fetch water. Eat supper and do more floor scrubbing. The so called Master isn’t even around. I don’t know how he plans to teach me to be some Ki master without spending any time training me...

24th of Chillgrasp

I finally made it one day without scrubbing. All of this is a pain. All of my muscles hurt. Zafashad made a showing and said he would fix that, and then he stuck me with needles that basically paralyzed my movement before starting in on hours of lecture. So now my head hurts, my muscles hurt, and I have pin holes everywhere. Alenka is off looking to prove that we’re on a turtle, so I haven’t seen her in what feels like a month, and lea is off learning about her fey side. She flits through here like she owns the place and the monks in training just nod in deference and urge me to do the same. I’m done. I’m going to sleep.

I did make it across the floor though.

I have some soft rags that I’m going to use to cover my feet tomorrow so I cross the floor without making marks. Cheat day!

25th of Chillgrasp

Cheating gets you stairs and paralysis lectures. I swear they’re consulting Marissa for some of this crap.

19th of Whitefall

Zafashad told me today that he had expected to see more progress already. I don’t know what he was expecting. I get up, go through the motions, walk the stairs and bring back plenty of water for everyone. I’m being a team player. I don’t know what the deal is. Apparently I am in spiritually focused. No kidding. I’m trying to gain some magical power to lock up an evil and save Brooke like she is a damsel in distress.

I guess Alenka is being called up to try some things tomorrow.

20th of Whitefall

Poison. That is what they are planning to do. Zafashad fed Alenka some bullshit about poisoning me in order to force a spiritual journey. The more he droned on about it, the more on board everyone started to be. Even Lea showed up to suggest using nectar from the passion fruits we grow in the groves. Apparently the ambrosia will keep me trapped on the island unless I can overcome it. They are calling it “incentive”. Bottoms up I guess.

Notes from Keira

1st of Nightset, 1010 LD

This is the log of Acting Captain Keira. Re Shi can claim that she is in charge all she likes, but she has bowed to my reason. It is only right that a non-elf bends to the whims of a Worldshaper. I don’t mean for this to sound sanctimonious. High adventure pays bills. There will be risks, but would Captain Gavin prefer to have full coffers instead of moths and a dirt covered hold? I say no. That is what we’ll net from cabbage runs. We sail for Ka Ro Sen. Mystery and chance will wait for no-one.

5nd of Nightset

We’re lost. Food and water is plentiful. Moral is high and my winds are strong.

20th of Nightset

Raul thinks that we are sailing somewhere between Shin Malae and Zhan’Ai. Re Shi agrees and we have placed the blame squarely on fey magic. If their projections are correct we will be in trade route waters come sunrise tomorrow. Sea and sky gets to be such a boring sight. I just want to go exploring.

21st of Nightset

Who's the best Captain?

The one the crew will give a cheer-a.

Clearly it has always been,

The one and only Keira!

22nd of Nightset

Roughly 3 weeks to Ka Ro Sen and then I’ll have birds and beasts for company. No unlike this crew, but better. And old elven ruins! I’m so excited!

11th of Red Hearth

Tyran ruins are the best ruins.

Eat your hearts out orc boys.