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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Eccles" data-source="post: 489001" data-attributes="member: 5675">Jared Blackspawn’s JournalPart 3----------------------------------Flamerule 18th (cont'd) - We piled the bodies up with the remains of the bandits camp and burned all of it that we could not take with us, in order to deny any other would be raiders in this area any of their armour, weapons or tents. We decided then to head back to our camp of last night and rest up for the remainder of today. Taeghan and Alfgeir used their healing skills to tend to the various wounds of the group. During the course of the day at various times were we aware of a humanoid figure watching us from the woods. He kept his distance and moved away whenever one of us went to investigate, only to reappear later. Towards dusk as we settled down for the night (I had agreed to take third watch, as I realised I have never seen a sunrise, something the surface dwellers regard with awe and beauty), an arrow shot out of the surrounding forest gloom and hit Gorin. Sadly it didn't kill the fool, but it did serve as a sufficient warning. Soon after we grabbed up weapons and made ready to deal with our attacker, a voice shouted out of the darkness warning us that we were surrounded and for us to return the chest we had stolen. I shouted back a denial that we had stolen anything, and was shot by an arrow for my troubles. I should have known better, silence is my weapon, not noise. The brashness of Gorin and Braddoc I fear is rubbing off on me. I must be more careful.We then it seems were of one mind, and we attacked in all directions, deciding death was preferable to dishonour. Death was very nearly what we got, and during a long fight with the boss of the group, Gorin was sent to the Fugue Plane this night, after he dispatched the raiders’ second in command right in front of the boss. I always said he was an idiot, but at least he died well. Still a combination of some cunning and an astounding amount of luck carried the fight for us, and we won, with not a single bandit making their escape to bedevil us again. Speaking of luck Braddoc even regaled me with how he took out one bandit using his blanket. I'm not entirely sure I believe his tale, and have refused to be taken to see the body. We tended to our wounds, though I declined Taeghen’s offer of magical healing, acceptance may be what I crave... but not his!Flamerule 19th - We set off back to Clearwater carrying Gorin's body on a crude litter for a proper burial at the town. Nothing much happened today, which after the bloodshed of yesterday is a blessing. Praise be to Vhaeruan for not troubling your servant this day with ambushes. Flamerule 20th - We arrived back in Clearwater bearing Gorin’s body with us. It was late evening when we got back into the village. We informed the Mayor of what had happened to the taxman’s retinue and our own escapades of the last few days. While we were doing this Gorin's drunkard uncle burst into the Inn, and seeing that his nephew was dead, demanded his worldly possessions... no doubt so he could sell them to buy alcohol. I choose that moment to avail myself of the pleasures my room, falling asleep easily on the soft bed and dreaming of Akordia and that night in the woods near Mistledale. Flamerule 30th - We finished up our training late in the day and retired to our various homes in the village. Tomorrow I am told is a traditional festival day in the Dalelands, so it seems we shall stall our pursuit of the bandits for yet another day. Midsummer Day - A traditional annual festival in the village. We could hear the Monastery bell ringing clearly in celebration. Apparently the monks celebrate this day by taking a ritual break from their martial lifestyles, I guess everyone needs a holiday once in a while, even monks. Nothing important happened today, apart from the whole village getting roaring drunk, and many of the younger men and women disappearing into the forest edge to spend time in each other’s arms. I sat and drank in the corner of the Inn, no-one bothered me, and I stayed out of everyone else’s way and let them enjoy their celebration of life. Eleasis 1st - Woke up a little hung over from the drinking of yesterday. The group met up in the Inn early and we decided to head back to the bandit campsite we ransacked, and see if we can pick up the trail of the other bandits from there. We know that they headed towards the Desertmouth Mountains, so that’s a help. Alfgeir in his official capacity as a Daggerdale Sheriff is accompanying us. I am glad to have him along. Eleasis 2nd - Spent the day trekking along the woodland road south of Clearwater, retracing our steps. We passed the wrecked taxman's carriage in the later afternoon, and decided to camp soon after. Thankfully nothing troubled us today. Eleasis 3rd - Arrived back at what was the bandits’ camp in the late afternoon. After a process of elimination, Alfgeir and I managed to single out the trail left by the bandits and headed off after them knowing they have better than fifteen days lead on us. They have taken an old game trail through the woods. We decided to spend the night back at our old campsite before pursuing tomorrow. Eleasis 4th - Woke up early and headed off in a very belated pursuit of the remaining bandits. The woods rapidly became thicker and darker, giving way to true forest. The darkness seemed to perturb Braddoc but I assured him that this was normal beneath the canopy. I am in my element here. Not long after we spotted a large body lying on the ground up ahead, creeping closer we saw it move and then we looked again. The body did not move, it was covered in Stirges that immediately attacked seeking a fresh meal. The annoying pests descended on us in a swarm. We hacked left and right, dispatching the vermin with ease, but not fast enough as they managed to get past our guard and begin attaching themselves to us, two of them latching on to me as I desperately hacked at them with my blades, feeling my limbs growing heavier as they sucked my blood. Although I slaughtered both of mine, they took a severe toll, drinking Stedd and me both to the brink of death. I confess I passed out then due to the lack of blood. I came around briefly later on as Taeghen healed me, I didn't have the strength or the inclination at that point to refuse him. According to his knowledge of healing, it will take several days of rest for Stedd and I to fully recover from our ordeal. Braddoc too suffered almost as bad as we did but seems to be weathering the effects easier. Damn dwarves. We settled down for the night to sleep while Braddoc and Rand set off to forage. Guess they didn't learn from what happened to Edrahil, fools. They came back later with a minor wizard who they had rescued from some phantom wolves. It seems Cebo (for that is his name) had annoyed the local druid, who had set the strange wolves on him. He seems harmless enough and since he has lost his spectacles and is as blind as a bat as a result, he didn't even notice I was part Drow. He seems to be enraptured by just about everything. Eleasis 5th - A strange morning this, as it seems during the night Cebo laid a spell on Rand while he was on watch, and then helped himself to the group’s magical items before making good his escape. I have lost the dagger I gained I gained from my share of the bandits loot. To be honest I am angry at having been robbed, but the loss of the dagger does not overly trouble me. I still have my potion, which I viewed as far more useful. Rand and Braddoc however are furious at the deception. Alfgeir managed to track him as far as a stream a few hundred feet away, but from there onwards his tracks disappear entirely. Braddoc is marching about the campsite muttering dire threats about what he will do to Cebo with his flail... honestly Dwarves have no imagination when it comes to revenge. I did try to educate him, but got glared at for my troubles, so much for that cultural exchange. We remained camped here for the day while we recover from the Stirge attack. The woods here on the western edge of Daggerdale are lovely, but a far cry from those in Cormanthyr. During the night a bear decided to intrude on our campsite. It took the combined efforts of all of us to fell the beast. Taeghen was nearly slain, and Alfgeir’s wounds were fatal. I blame myself for his loss, as I delayed joining the fight. I feel my natural instinct for self preservation which has served me well enough in growing up amidst my brutal people, hampered me in this regard and Alfgeir, who kindly taught me some of his skills and always aided me in tracking, when he could easily have let his skills overshadow my own, paid for my hesitation. Eleasis 6th - We spent the day resting in the woods, thankfully without any further encounters with the local wildlife. We laid Alfgeir to rest in a grave amidst the trees; I think its what he would have wanted. He never spoke of having any family.</blockquote>

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