Player Journal – There Is Still Hope

PC Journal for Namakin (Sam Lauer) 

Where to begin…It has been far too long since I have written last and for that, I am truly sorry.   I don’t remember the contents of my last letter, I can ill afford the time of recollection past letters so I will make this brief.
 
I hoped that we would have been reunited by now in the mountain keep I dare call home.   It has been a perilous journey and the end is not within sight.  It has turned into a desperate attempt of mortals to change the fate of the world, a task not easily taken.   Tested and tried, singed and bruised, jolted and for me, slightly digested in some of the most fowl creatures I have seen.  We all have a path in life and I can say that I have seen more than I ever dreamed.   I am tired and long for the warming lick of the rays of sunshine of Dwilloughsby forest.  How I miss the warmth and peaceful tranquility found in the far reaches of every corner in the forest.
 
Our greatest challenge has been a beast of unimaginable size and vile nature.   Helped by one of its creators, one called Berimon, we gained access to the creature.  A series of what I can only describe as dreamscapes, we face our darkest nightmares.   I saw the city before me under siege by a wild assortment of beasts.  Our parents in great pain, our neighbors and friends lay in the streets of blood and snakes writhing about through their corpses.   A truly horrific sight that I never want to see again nor wish to speak of it again aside from this letter. 
 
Ander’s nightmare was laid before us next.   A tranquil village ravaged by undead creatures.  The dreamscapes took their toll on our group.  Loutarin fell, rather lost his head in a literal fashion.   A beastly worm like creature bit his head off in one defiant bite.  We could go no further with the loss of Loutarin or the lack of spells in my mind.   We had to abandon our quest for the key in destroying this beast.  We needed the sanctuary of the keep and the magic within to raise our friend from the dead.  
 
We returned to continue our quest in the morning after a night at our keep.   Loutarin was raised but not in typical fashion.  His soul was contained within the beast and his ghostly presence was transformed with my arcane skills to a more palatable incarnate.   Our last attempt at entering the ancient evil as it has been aptly named.  Berimaan once again injected us into the beast.   We faced Pontius and Loutarin’s dreamscapes this time.
 
A field filled with swarms of bees and undead surrounded us and made a failed attempt at ending our lives.   Rather mild compared to our battle at the tower, it still challenged our prowess in our respective skill sets.  Gaining a ride on the shoulders of Relak, Ander’s new devoted follower, we soon arrived for a battle that nearly ended in defeat.   Wolf like creatures that stood as tall as the mayor’s house surrounded us and the fiercest elemental descended the tower to smite us.  We all were on the brink of death but pulled through, thank the Gods for their benevolence.   We gained the prize, a heart of Demigorgon, and a riddle that we have yet to figure out.  This is where I leave you with my best wishes that you are safe at home.
 
I can only reiterate the ending of my last letter; I will see you as soon as I feel it is safe.   I pray that these are not my last words.  If word reaches you that I have passed, take my passing as a blessing in disguise.   It will have meant that I gave my life for everything that I hold dear.  I send this with all my love to the family.  Give my best regards to our beloved parents and inform them that I have done the best that I can.   Uncle Ghanadar is as safe as he can be in the keep.  I can assure you he is busy with his glorious nose deep in the tomes of the library!
 
Your Brother,
 
Namakin

Player Journal – A Different Burrowshead

PC Journal for Namakin (Sam Lauer) 

A changing of the winds of fate for us has blown. We raced through the bowels of Red Ribbon to find evidence that Falstrom and a friend have escaped from the recesses beneath the prison. We left to see Amadius and the brothers O’Toole in Ogden. Our pursuit led us to the clutched of our enemy. We found ourselves in Burrowshead to the festival of immense proportions. A strange fellow I have seen through the eyes of Draz, a most loyal and faithful companion. This figure is dressed in opulence, always watching us intently. Hair as black as the abyss and slicked back with a sheen as glass. A distinct mustache perched above his lips give him a sinister appearance to this wary gnome.Ander, my dear friend and his cohort, Relak have drawn attention to us needlessly. The city guards as well as this figure watch our movements about the festival. This stranger selling his “Toby Tonic” was very troublesome. He was selling a vile liquid to the commoners and nobles alike, with an affinity for rats made this gnome’s stomach churn with disgust. Ander called upon the powers of Tempest to rid the marketplace of this seedy creature to only be laughed at.

We have found a few more monks that will help up in out time of need with an underground safe haven conjured forth by soup! I admire the ingenious ways in which these monks work. A garden of fruits and veggies that heal the body and restore one’s health, a magnificent invention it is. A fine addition to our keep it would make!

We seek the Temple in Feymore of Ander’s God. During our search, a rowdy group of men whom make the race look despicable discovered that a gnome is not to be toyed with. Who would have thought that a seemingly harmless prank would cause one to strike out against the mothers of their race? Taking pity on such an innocent soul, a mouthful of fire was a fair retribution for the treatment of such a kind lass. One does not think of the consequences when they rush headlong into combat against such worthy adversaries as this lot. They met their end with a drunken mistake. Out of the mist a pack of dogs and masters of said beasts emerged. Carelessly I fell to the gaze of such creature only to find myself as a dog amongst my comrades! Thank Tempest for bestowing upon his servants the power to make me a gnome again.

Returning to Burrowshead, we faced a nemesis of our search for the Iron Acropolis. The Pale Commander as we know him to be was struck down by the alchemical fury of the fantastic Prichard which this gnome has learned to harness. The Ancient Evil now makes Burrowshead its home. Toby and his tonic have lead to the widespread consumption of the libation which plays a role in the Ancient Evil’s presence here on Alaron.

Our next move is yet unknown. We need to move quickly or we all shall perish to this mound of mayhem.

Player Journal – The Looming Darkness

PC Journal for Namakin (Sam Lauer) 

I start this journal in hopes that our last days can be recollected by the bardic tales and wandering minstrels through song. We have come back to the time we left, but not the way we had left it. So much has changed, much of it for the worse. In pursuit of the second shard to keep it from those that would use it for evil, all started with the portal. Once back to the past, we destroyed the Puppet Master. Living up to his name, he was too a puppet for the Pale Commander. We have recovered gemstone skulls, destroying one that was the Puppet Master’s phylactery. After which, we took Marzul his in exchange for the Shard obtained by the agent of Mask. The sword of Mask, Sorrow’s Memory, also was a bargaining chip we used with Marzul. We received more gold than some kingdoms. With it, our keep was constructed and the rest sits in a secure location.

We returned to our time to find much has changed. Falstrom imprisoned, Amadius and Ghanadar are on the run and Talgrow was sentenced to death which he did with honor and courage. Marzul has been destroyed by Mask. Omus, the great wizard of Calad Brae, is now in power with ties to the Pale Commander. Almost everything that we once knew is no longer. The O’toole brothers are one our few trusted allies in this epic struggle to reach the Iron Acropolis.

I write this after we have found Ghanadar and Amadius sheltered in a small hallow in the ground. Just as we reached them, some of the shady characters of the new watch found us as well. Loutarin, Pontius, Ander, I and a newcomer to the group, the Ogre, made quick work of things. Taking what valuables they had, we fled to Egeus’s tavern in Ogden. That is where we learned of Falstrom’s location and some other valuable information. Our information network is weak but any information is helpful.

Leaving Ogden to go rescue Falstrom in Red Ribbon prison, this is where our adventure continues. On a mission to restore Calad Brae to all her glory, Falstrom needs to be saved and returned to power. We must set things right, for we are part of the reason for this madness in this world.

Once we rescue Falstrom, and we must succeed, we will take on the forces behind Omus’s plague over Calad Brae. Within the city, Constructs roam the streets with blue cloaked wizards whom are adept in the art of magic. Tactics and stealth are our assets for we are greatly outnumbered. I will find a way for my magic to penetrate the seemingly impenetrable creations of Omus. Let the cleansing begin……

Player Journal – A Letter Home

PC Journal for Namakin (Sam Lauer) 

So much has happened and we are still struggling to reach our destination. Mere mortals in the realm of Gods searching for their demise or sanctity, depends on which side you stand. These are troubled times for a troubled world. It seems so distant from my life on Lantan, like a dream that is fading from my memory. All I can rely upon stand beside me in battle. An elf, Loutarin, with stealthy skills and a knack at gathering all that is rare and precious. Another adventuring companion, a human ranger, Pontius, skilled with a bow and a dedication unlike most humans that I have seen. Another human, Ander, with a link to his god, granting powers that can rival my own arcane abilities. Ander’s unusual companion whom has a disdain for the fey, Galibard is his name. A devoted follower I must say, he is useful when combat ensues.

That is whom I rely on for my survival and they rely upon me. Without each other we would have been laid to rest many months ago. We have endured through man and beast. Even the living dead have perished to our skills in combat. Facing the blades of the Avatar of Mask, watching the Avatars fight on another plane and traveling through time and space are just a few of the stories I will share upon our next meeting.

Soon our keep will be built and I will bring you here to experience a life which you can only dream of through the bard’s stories. A room full of books as far as the eye can see will one of many splendors awaiting you when you arrive. I will soon teleport you here when it is safer to do so. We shall talk more then. I pray that these are not my last words to you.

Your Brother,

Namakin