Jesme calls back, "Well, there's all these valuables obviously. Painting, throne, some of these things the crazy guy has. Not much we can salvage unless you strip the old man or want to haul this giant seat out of here. However... I was looking for any... well... more removable gems or something, in the throne. You know, stuff that wouldn't involve needing a horse to drag it out... and well... under the seat there's a lock. I undid it, something of a challenge, and well... no treasure. But um... you 'may' want to take a look at this first."
There are a number of papers hidden within the throne are in the goblins hands.
[sblock]Flocktime 14th, 586 CY: Liberation Day! Istivin is recaptured-
and without a fight! The enemy has left the city
empty and intact. They feared our might and fled before
we arrived. Yet strangely, the emptiness feels menacing,
as if we are not as alone as we think. Surely the mood of
war still hangs upon this place and will soon pass. Qualtaine
is once again upon its seat, this time the throne of a
marquis and not the lesser chair of an earl!
Fireseek 3rd, 588 CY: The city prospers once again. The last
of the occupied lands to the west should be reclaimed by spring.
Our army is blooded but stronger for it. Why then is this
foreboding upon me? Why do the people seem hesitant rather
than jubilant? A pall rests upon the city of my fathers.
Coldeven 28th, 588 CY: We are not alone! There is something
in Istivin. It is among us, in the very stones of the city,
I am sure of it, and I know not what power it possesses.
Some machination of the drow? I must not alert it to my
investigations. None are safe from its grasp. No one must
know what I have found until I have learned more, not even
my beloved Res. There are cries in the night.
Brewfest, 589 CY: Though it cost dear, I have a name for my
nemesis. It is the Malgoth. Galmoor's demon priest tied it
to this place before those foul giants withdrew. Darkness
falls like a veil in waking dreams. My eyes are caught by
the void. This demon priest, too, has a name. He is Ilkharis,
a frost giant worshiper of Kostchtchie. Somehow he imbedded
the Malgoth in my beloved home like a bloated tick
upon a host. The voices whisper near constant now. I am
the marquis; it requires a leader, someone to speak for it
to the people. I will die before it has me.[/sblock]
[sblock]Fireseek 18th or 20th, 590 CY: It is with me always now. The Malgoth won't
let me die. The knife slipped from nerveless hands as I laid it upon my wrist.
I fear there is no hope for me. Booming echoes silence the light. Shadow touches
shadow and passes through. Ilkharis is my only hope. He must be found. Surely he
can break the bond that he forged. I will send my finest knights to locate him.
Wealsun? 590: Dear Res... she doesn't understand. I am becoming more now.
One with the Dark Master is a prize, not a punishment. And she thinks me
unhinged. I shouldn't have killed the maid. They have given me the finest
cell for "my protection." Sparrows and hawks fall to the fox. I shall demand
a throne. A seat befitting my status.
Five 91!!!: The Dark Master tells many secrets. He whispers them long into
the night. I don't think the guards like my songs.
Fall, 591: The Malgoth is growing. Sometimes I can hear it in the stones. The
moments when I can think without that voice in my ear are fewer and far
between. Res and Verbane came. I ordered them to send my knights after the
frost giant. They think that part of my ravings, too. I don't blame them.
592-593?: Days pass when I don't even realize I am me. I can't hold it off forever.
It promises power...[/sblock]
[sblock]I think it is 594, the guards
spoke of Needfest celebration
some time back-
I fear it is almost over. A
darkness is in me, and I
can feel its energy. I can...
do things now. It does not
know I keep this journal.
I must stop writing in it,
hide it, and hope that what
I become never finds it. I
can feel it blooming. These
shall be my last words as a
man. Darling Res, the ring
you brought me shall be my
salvation. I can use it to
escape this body with these
new gifts, to hide in the
body of one of the guards,
and then if I can only maintain
myself I can use him
to warn you. I don't know
if I can hold on once I imbue
the magic jar, but to sleep
here with the dreams but
one more night is worse. If I
can just get outside the city
perhaps I can escape it. If
not, perhaps the blade of
a watchman's sword can
provide release of another
sort. Forgive me Res, I
should have told you.[/sblock]
