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Message: <blockquote data-quote="PieAndDragon" data-source="post: 2822668" data-attributes="member: 18108">Airday, 16th of Eighthmonth, 1533 ERMyself and Borsca finished another patrol today. We visited Whistlesprings and talked to some of the locals. Apparently the Monkey Tax of the HighKeeps is not so popular. These people have long used primates as guards, mounts, beasts of burden and pets. I doubt discontent will ever reach the level that anything comes of it, but it is useful to be informed of such things.The villagers appear to hold the Company of the Valiant Blade in high regard. They have helped the local economy and slain many dangerous beasts in these parts. Sakorat's musicians also help with their tales of glory and bravery. The facts and the tales probably do not always add up.Earthday, 18th of Eightmonth, 1533 ERThe gardener came to us today, looking alarmed. His assistant had been caught by a massive mound of vegetation with tentacled vines. The rest of the group had only a vague idea of what it was but I knew straight away. The beast we hunted was a tendriculous, common in the Sohal City-states.We gathered together and proceeded to hunt the creature down, with the exception of Lukkar who has been suffering from a nasty fever which Kwaku can do nothing for. It didn't take long to track the beast, Sydnius taking the lead with Irenke's wolf and Andruga's dog helping him. I warned them of the creatures natural healing powers and wide maw. Andruga and Sydnius had a few shots at it before Irenke and Deng closed. I stayed at my post, guarding Sakorat, who has summoned a magical sword to attack it from afar. I informed them that crushing weapons would be needed to finish off such a beast of this, hammers and maces being the only weapons it truly feared.It was a large specimen, the size of a coach. In short order it swallowed Irenke and Deng, slaying Andruga's dog as an aside. We continued to pepper it with arrows and could see a faint light, most likely the salamander, from inside the beast. In the end It was Sakorat's sword which felled the beast, just as Deng managed to slice his way out with his scimiters. We had to smash it with shields as a last resort, until it stopped moving. Irenke was lucky, although she had suffered massive burns, it was not beyond Sakorat's healing magic to cure. The gardener's assistant, a young lad from Whistlesprings, had not survived his ordeal, although there was enough of a body for a funeral and ritual burningWe did find one thing of interest, which was a magical griffon statuette.AfternoonKwaku has identified it with the magic of Lord Moon as a figurine which could take the form of a griffon. He has bought it from the Company of the Valiant Blade for a tidy sum to add to his collection of creatures of the Pack. Maybe there is a chance he could gather them after all. To my surprise, the others gave me a half share of the earnings. As long as I prove useful and take a more active role in times of danger, they will reward me. My priority remains the protection of Sakorat, but I am honoured by their trust.I will also use the money to buy a good longbow, as I am bereft of any ranged weapons at present.Waterday, 19th of Eighthmonth, 1533 ERWe had visitors today. Two members of the Company of Whiteblade Gold came to speak to the veteran members about Lavrin Greymantle. They were Iulian Truehilt, leader of the company and a skilled warrior besides, and Maralah, a reaver sage from one of the eastern reaver nations.They were asking about Lavrin's activities, habits and allies. Deng and Kwaku remembered her the most, as the former wearer of the Amulet of Wethinoc and an acolyte of the Monkey God. She also slew the Company of Southwatch Silver, making enemies of the Venturers of the Coin and the HighKeep family in the process. Lukkar bears some emnity towards her as well, due to some of his less reputable friends from the criminal underworld. They told us that she was hiding in Highkeep Forest with her pet family of green-backed apes. All very interesting.Otherday, 20th of Eighthmonth, 1533 ERMore visitors. It appears that the fame of the Company of the Valiant Blade spreads.Mornvar and Elodia Elacono wish to build a temple of the Fellowship of the Golden Lord, dedicated to the Immortal Dainor, on the edge of the mansion's land. Mornvar is a priest of the Golden Lord from Kynahar and his wife is a skilled gemcutter. They hope to capitalise on Peregrina's former clients and make some deals with local merchants.The others were very interested, as all the couple wanted was some sort of protection. In return they offered a cut in the profits and the possible favour of Dainor, never a thing to be lightly discounted. After a short amount of haggling between Sakorat and Mornvar, a cut of 10% was agreed, to be signed on tomorrow. Both of the couple were richly dressed and used to high society, but did not come across as slimy or arrogant. There seemed very little downside for anyone in the deal.Airday, 21st of Eighthmonth, 1533 ERMornvar and Elodia returned today with the paperwork, which was duly signed to everyone's satisfaction with some of the servants acting as witnesses. Work will begin almost immediately. No doubt I will keep an eye on the construction, to make sure nothing untoward is occurring.I also checked in Whistlesprings for gossip about the two. They appear to be staying at the Pig and Thistle Inn with several servants. The townsfolk appear to have a favourable opinion of them and hope the temple provides work and brings in wealth.Otherday, 25th of Eightmonth, 1533 EROn the last day of the month, another illustrious guest broke up the monotony of training and patrols. Tabor, the leader of the followers of the Monkey God, a cycuri priest of said Power came up the Whistle with two guards, one as large as Irenke.He reminded the Company of the Valiant Blade of a favour he owed and talked of Peregrina and other followers of the Monkey God. Nothing much he said interested me, but he did confirm Peregrina's rapid rise in power. I suspect he is wary of her. I would be in his position.Deng told him that they would not call on his favour yet so he departed that afternoon. I suspect he is one who does not like being in the debt of another. Much like me.Sakorat's quartet were annoying me again. They have taken their playing out into the garden and the coach-house, after I threatened to break all of their hands if they continued to annoy me all day long.Earthday, 3rd of Ninthmonth, 1533 ERAction at last! And our first proper expedition with the Company of the Valiant Blade. The SouthWatch family are in need and sent a letter to us via a messenger heading to Highkeep for further aid. Shieldhold, a fortress one day's travel north of Southwatch, has fallen by treachery to troops from Blackwatch and their siv allies. Marchelleus SouthWatch, Marshall of the Harrow and the Whistle, has requested our aid.We are getting ready to travel at this moment, as the party are unanimous in their desire to meet this request. I will lead Borsca at Whistlesprings. She does not need to see the full horrors of war yet. Hopefully she never will. Sakorat has left all of his servants at the mansion, excepting myself of course.Waterday, 4th of Ninthmonth, 1533 ERWe made good time yesterday and continued to do so today. Lukkar seems very pale from illness, but has managed to keep up with us so far. We stopped briefly at Southhunt for any news, but Sakorat could find nothing but an orphan who stole a little of his gold. There were many carts and refugees on the road, fleeing the dangers of Southwatch. There was no reports of further battle than the fall of Shieldhold.Otherday, 5th of Ninthmonth, 1533 ERWe reached Southwatch after a long day of travel and only had to wait for an hour before being ushered in to see the Marshall. He is not a handsome man, scarred by many years protecting the southern borders. It is said he sleeps in his armour at all times and is man I respect greatly. He welcomed the Company of the Valiant Blade and gave us an overall view of the situation.A large force of siv, including elite troops from the Monastery of the Long Claw, and house guard from the city-state of Blackwatch are lead by Valanthie BlackWatch. By all accounts she is a skilled illusionist and a powerful member of the Red Conlave, leading a small cabal of lesser spellcasters. With most of the Southwatch troops fighting in the Tyrant of Eastcastle to the north, the Marshall has withdrawn all troops from the Whistle and the Harrow to defend the city. There are several makeshift forts and strongpoints between here and Shieldhold, and he has assigned us to defend the old fort of Southquarry.We discussed terms and we agreed to work for a favour from the SouthWatch family. Deng was keen to get hold of prisoners of war, presumably to power the various magical tattoos. They also dealt with our charter, removing the recently fallen and adding Sakorat, Irenke, Andruga, Sydnius and myself. Kwaku was kept on the charter and Lukkar made into the deputy leader after Deng. No doubt Sakorat will try for that position in the following months.We are staying the night here, grabbing any supplies in the morning and then heading to Southquarry.Airday, 6th of Ninthmonth, 1533 ERA half day's travel brought us to Southquarry. It is a small fort used in days gone past. The walls stand twice the height of a human, and is in reasonable condition. There is a small force of twenty soldiers here, half Southwatch guardsmen and Dog beastclan marauders with their warhounds. They are commanded by Hilarion Deepheart, a veteran from the Harrow who I have met before. A steady captain but with little experience of this type of conflict. Morale seems high though, and they are on high alert. They seemed glad to see us and know something of our deeds. Good to hear.EveningThe others went on a quick patrol of the terrain around Southquarry and found some siv tracks. Further inspection revealed more tracks from the last day. The enemy are keeping some sort of watch on this place. I stayed at the fort to talk to the soldiers.Fireday, 7th of Ninthmonth, 1533 ERThe soldiers appear to have taken well to me. I am now the unofficial deputy of Hilarion. The command structure has been set, with Hilarion in charge, then Deng, Lukkar should he be fit, the leader of the Dog beastclansmen, then myself.Most of they day was spent reinforcing the defences or on short patrols.Earthday, 8th of Ninthmonth, 1533 ERThe enemy have arrived today. About midday we saw a mixed force of siv warriors, Blackwatch house guard, a small group of swamp giants and a many-headed hydra. They sent up a herald to demand our surrender, but no surprise when we declined.Their first attack was brief. The giants and a siv wizard attacked from a couple of hundred yards away, attacking with magical balls of fire and rocks. We lost a couple of Southwatch guards but little more. They retreated once the wizard ran out of fireballs. We managed to hit the giants with couple of arrows but could not get past the defences of the wizard.For now we await the second attack.AfternoonThey attacked again this afternoon, although I am not sure of their tactics. A small group of Monks of the Long Claw were covered by the giants who threw rocks once again. They approached up to the walls but never came inside, fleeing when Deng and Irenke attacked them and the others brought a couple down with missile fire. Sydnius appears to be a capable archer and Andruga a competent one. Sakorat used much of his magic to aid us and this gave confidence to Deng and Irenke. The pair ran out to engage three swamp giants with the aid of Sydnius'es hawk. Unfortunately they were well matched, Irenke slain by two of the giants, taking one of them with her in her last moments. The other giants were bewildered by Deng's dancing fighting style and injured by the arrows of Andruga and Sydnius, fleeing back to the enemy encampment. Sydnius lost his giant hawk though. Not really a surprise to me. We dragged Irenke's body back to camp and left the giant's out there.The cycuri will be sorely missed. She was the mightiest warrior here, and I feel that the hydra will be beyond our skills.Observation of the enemy has revealed the siv wizard to be their leader. They appear to have some sort of priest as well. No doubt we shall meet both later.EveningSome bad news. A tain has managed to get through from Southwatch. Zuridah brings news that a couple of other strongpoints have fallen and no reinforcements are due to reach us. She has chosen to stay and fight alongside us. She carries a double-bladed axe and looks like she has used it in recent times.NightWe have survived the third and most deadly attack so far. An hour before midnight the enemy brought all of their forces to bear. Thier priest, a follower of the Lord of the Green Claw, destoyed a section of the wall by reducing the stone underneath it to mud. They sent through more Long Claw monks into the breach where we battled them. Another group of the monks attacked our soldiers at the back of the fort while a giant, the Blackwatch house guard and the hydra smashed their way through the front gate.The fighting was close, with most warriors falling on both sides. With the blessing of the green we survived however. Deng, Hilarion, Sakorat, Zuridah, Sydnius and myself were the last ones left standing. The rear of the fort was overrun, but they enemy lost a giant, the hydra, most of the Long Claw siv and all of the Blackwatch guards. With all of the priest's and wizard's magic used, they chose the better part of valour. We lost most of the marauders and Southwatch guards, but I feel they have suffered the greater damage. Andruga fought well but fell unconsious during the battle. I used the power of the Green to revive him and nowwe wait to see what morning brings.If more forces arrive from Shieldhold, I doubt we will live to see the next dusk.End of Session Sixteen</blockquote>

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