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Message: <blockquote data-quote="PieAndDragon" data-source="post: 2822680" data-attributes="member: 18108">Airday, 1st of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERMaybe Sakorat has more genius than I attributed to him. He has brought back a magical lyre from Southwatch. Once per week, a skilled musician can use it to do the work of several hundred men. This will obviously be of use for extending the mansion and helping to construct the Temple of the Golden Lord.Simeon, the most skilled and most objectionable of his harpists, is currently given the honour of using it. Yesterday the harpist strenthened much of the foundations of the temple and many of the walls grew in height.Otherday, 5th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERSydnius and Zuridah continue to bring in animals for Kwaku or for Sydius's growing menagerie. Sakorat's followers have created their own camp on the edge of the mansion's lands and also expand in number.Simeon used the lyre again today, making massive progress on the Temple. The finer details will need to be finalised by proper craftsmen, but with the harpist under the guidance of the naiad's architects, I can see completion very soon now.Earthday, 8th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERMy money is mostly spent. In addition to the tattoo of Might in the shape of a Bull, provided by the SouthWatch family, I have a tattoo which enchants my armour. It allows me to call my armour to me in the same way as Sakorat can, or shed it quickly from my body. It is represented by a breastplate, with a tortoise at the bottom and a snake at the top. My last purchase was a tattoo which enables me to detect opponents hidden by magic.Unlike the others, I have little need for magical weapons or shields, having the power to call them to my hands through the power of the Green.Otherday, 10th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERSydnius played for many hours today, completing the main section of the Temple of the Golden Lord. Mornvar and Elodia seemed overjoyed and have offered a place for Sakorat's followers to stay in thanks. They plan on having an opening ceremony tomorrow, with the Company of the Valiant Blade swearing an oath to protect the temple in return for Dainor's favour.There is now talk of what is next for the lyre. We are in favour of expanding the cellar to have a place for the thralls. I would also advocate some sort of carers for them and taking the blindness off of them, before they go mad in extended darkness.Airday, 11th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERZuridah has moved out of the cellar and is now living in the Library. There are no books in their so no-one else is protesting.We attended the opening ceremony of the Whistlesprings Temple of the Golden Lord, and then a private affair with Mornvar where we received the blessings of Dainor and his eternal blessing. We have given our oaths on the symbol of Dainor to protect his temple from danger. May this place become a bastion against the dark times of this world. No doubt the rest of the evening will be taken up in feasting, drinking and dancing. Everyone needs it once in a while.Fireday, 12th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERAfter a late night talk with Mornvar last night, it appears that Dainor is one of the few Immortals with a priesthood. He claims to be the last of the Pantheon, who stayed to look after the peoples of Ascorre. I doubted it to be true, but did not see the need to insult a priest in his own temple.Earthday, 13th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERTonight is Warlock's Eve, so we shall be on our guard tonight. Deng and Lukkar fought vampyrs a year ago, and there are always dark creatures abroad on this night.Zuridah has started looking through Whistlesprings for books about animals and other creatures. No doubt Kwaku could write her one about the Pack.Many of the naiad's entourage have moved into the Temple of the Golden Lord, although several have stayed in their own encampment too.I have also heard other news. The Venturers of the Coin have withdrawn the Company of Whiteblade Gold and Company of Southwatch Bronze away from Highkeep. They are returneing to Whiteblade to take part in the war there.Waterday, 14th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERTo the disappointment of Deng and Zuridah, nothing happened last night and all was peaceful. It seems they need to face death every week to feel truly alive. I'd settle for facing it just the once in a while.Otherday, 15th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERWith the lyre we built a forge for Deng onto the stables and also extended the cellar with cells for the thralls.We have heard several disturbing rumours of night fey abroad. Groups of redcaps have been seen outside of Highkeep, and many of the folk of Whistlesprings are reporting accidents and strange goings on in their dwellings. The servants here have seen several small mischievous creatures around the mansion and the grounds, identified by us as gremlins.In response to the danger, we have started to get prepared. Deng is forging weapons for Sakorat's followers and a few volunteers from the town. Zuridah and Sydnius have found horses, dogs, a dire boar and other animals which they are training up to fight. Borsca and several of Sakorat's followers are helping to train them and learning to fight alongside them.The training of the warriors is left to myself and maybe Lukkar when he is in a good mood. There is talk of the lyre building a wall around the mansion, the temple and the abode of the naiad's followers. We are creating our own little settlement on the edge of Whistlesprings.The two beastclansmen have also managed to capture a giant queen bee and several other bees. Sydnius appears to have a way even with vermin and they hope to make some sort of hive in the garden. Unfotunately Bee is not a member of the Pack.Fireday, 17th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERSydnius brought in a gigantic wasp today, which he intends to train as a mount. It is one of the strangest sights I have seen. He has commissioned a saddle and armour for it from Whistlesprings and has so far managed to keep in under control.There are more rumours of fey abroad. Children have gone missing in Blackmeadows, spriggans are demanding tribute from travellers, bridge trolls down the River Pride and a band of bacchae enticing villagers to join there eternal revel. It is not good.The salamander has decided to make the mansion more secure from night fey, starting to forge iron wards for the entry-ways in.Earthday, 18th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERThere is news of a bridge troll down the River Whistle at Whistlecross. There are some stepping stones there it has claimed and is demanding tribute of the villages. Tomorrow we intend to go and have a look at these rumours.Waterday, 19th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERWe traveled down the Southwatch side of the river and got to Whistlecross in the early afternoon. Sydnius pointed out a figure in the water and we were confronted by a hulking bridge troll at the water's edge. They are reputed to be among the strongest of the night fey, vulnerable to acid and fire, terrifying up close and this one also threw rocks.Sakorat talked to the troll for a while, but it was not keen on moving on. Apparently greater night fey have told it to haunt the lands around Highkeep Forest once more.Deng recalled something about an oath night fey had given the HighKeep family, but could not recall the details. I remember reading something of it too, to do with the BlackBlade family who once claimed this land. Maybe this link has been broken in some fashion.Some villagers from Whistlecross came to watch us and witnessed our battle with the troll. He threw a rock at Zuridah when she jumped over the Whistle, and from there we attacked. Sakorat gave us hope through his magic and directed a floating sword of Tunli to combat it. Deng bounced onto the steppings stones and engaged it in the centre of the river, while Lukkar and myself shot it full of arrows. Rather more of the goblins' than mine however. Synius ordered his direwolf to attack, but it merely stared at him as Deng was already on the stepping stones. He then proceeded to attack from the back of his monstrous wasp, to good effect. The troll retaliated with its claws, but like so many foes, could not get past Deng's defences. Under our combined might and with Zuridah's charge from the other side, it fell and was put out of it's life by acid and fire.The Horse beastclansman is possibly the most skilled rider I have ever seen. A giant wasp is no easy mount, but he seems to have tamed it and has no trouble fighting from atop it. Maybe I could learn from him. Or the blood of Horse runs strong in him.Sakorat and Zuridah found a small sack of treasure in the water, including some trinkets we returned to the villagers and a magical gem. The villagers thanked us and Sakorat pursuaded them not to tell others. We don't want our name associated with the slaying of night fey.We turned down a feast and took a long walk to get back to the mansion late this evening.Otherday, 20th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERNews today of spriggans driven out from Blackhall after demanding tribute. Also news of our defeat of the bridge troll at Whistlecross. Obviously Sakorat's tongue is not as sweet as it should be.The cells under the mansion have increased in size and buildings started for Sakorat's followers. The arming of the mansion and training of forces also continues.Earthday, 23th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERThere was more trouble this night. The rest of the Company of the Valiant Blade were called to Whistlesprings and I was left to guard the mansion. The town was accosted by a large group of spriggans, bogans, kenku and taurim, lead by two harpies and a piper. My comrades advised the townsfolk to hand over the tribute and hope for the best.Soon after they returned here the night fey came to the mansion and demanded more tribute. Sakorat spoke for us and we refused to give anything up. They appeared to be afraid of Deng's helmet, the Helm of Tajulian. When the salamander attacked their leader and the rest of the company followed suit, they fled into the night. The temple was also disturbed, but they paid their dues. No doubt we will see them again.Waterday, 24th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERLukkar had a visitor today. Mehi, the pech who leads the Redroad Trading Coster in Southwatch had a private conversation with him. Sakorat also had some words with him. The naiad often uses the pech's name when settling deals, and his name appears to garner some sort of respect.As far as I can see he heads up a group of thugs and scum who smuggle and cheat other merchants, but it is little of my concern.Otherday, 25th of Eleventhmonth, 1533 ERLukkar has left with Zuridah and Sydnius to go to Highkeep. No doubt this is connected to his conversation with the pech yesterday.Kwaku's council is coming on apace. In addition to his dog, horse, monkey, griffon, crocodile and wolverine, Synius and Zuridah have managed to find him a boar, a hawk, two rats and an owl. Kwaku has also inherited Irenke's wolf, giving him about half of the Pack in total. The mammoth, zombie and hydra should be interesting though.The cells below the great hall are almost complete now.Airday, 1st of Twelfthmonth, 1533 ERLukkar and the other two returned today. The goblin spoke to the steward of Highkeep but did not admit anything was wrong. The family have put together an expedition to go and look into the matter. I wish them luck.NightThe night fey were back tonight. Luckily Sydnius was outside at the time and managed to alert us, his direwolf howling like a beast possessed. We had a short time to prepare, as we saw shadowed figures out in the grounds. Sakorat and Kwaku armoured us with their magic while the servants were locked in the cellar, guarded by Borsca and our other house guards. Outside of the mansion, Sydnius fled on his wasp from two draconic creatures without wings and we heard piping in the distance. The draconic creatures were about the height of a goblin, some sort of wyrm. Lukkar and Zuridah went downstairs to find skulks had got in through the windows and more wyrms smashed in the servant's door.Deng leapt out an upstairs window and aided the direwolf against the two wyrms in the garden. Sydnius returned shortly and the kenku piper tried his magic on the salamander. It failed to work and the piper was brought down by scimiters, nothing left but black feathers. Between them they defeated the two wyrms, although the direwolf fell.In the house we contended with skulks and more wyrms. One wyrm got upstairs but was not a match for me, another fled from Sakorat's magic and the last fell to Zuridah's double axe.The skulks were evasive but only their leader was any danger. They appeared to be searching for our thralls, looking through rooms all around the house. Their leader injured me before it was driven off by Zuridah, fleeing with a few of the other skulks. Sakorat did manage to capture one of them, although he almost poisoned it to death with his magic.Deng then chased away a group of bogans from the Temple of the Golden Lord, before the whole group went to aid Whistlesprings. They left me to guard the mansion.When they returned they told of spriggans, kenku and bogans using fire to terrorize the town. A bulette which the night fey enchanted had breached the town's walls but the Company of the Valiant Blade slew it in short order. At this point the night fey fled once more.Fireday, 2nd of Twelfthmonth, 1533 ERThe townsfolk have set about rebuilding what was burnt down, and Sakorat has promised them the use of the lyre once it's magic has returned.We questioned the skulk, which was lead by the piper, who in turn served a night fey lord called Orbaona. Lukkar seemed to remember the name from somewhere. She turns out to be a veiled lady, most likely a medusa. Still no idea why they have come out of the forest to terrorize others. The skulk knew nothing else of worth, so we have put it in a cell, probably to let it go in a couple of days.Zuridah has made some sort of barbaric helmet out of the feathers of the kenku. Not a particularly worthy foe.Waterday, 4th of Twelfthmonth, 1533 ERA shaman of Monkey has arrived to advise Kwaku and help defend the Temple from the spirits of the fey. She is Ledoca, daughter of ArthyenLife continues on. The mansion is almost all iron-clad around the entranceways. Soon we should be rid of the gremlins. No one has tried to employ us. Maybe they are hiring the Venturers of the Coin instead.Airday, 6th of Twelfthmonth, 1533 ERMuch of the damage to the village has been repaird by the harp and Simeon. The amount of respect the townsfolk have for the Company of the Valiant Blade increases everyday.The shaman has introduced Zuridah to one of the siv from Highkeep, although I am unsure why. Maybe they will teach her to walk on water or swamp.Ledoca also spoke to us, carrying a warning from a friend of ours in the Forest of the Apes. We were not to oppose the night fey of Highkeep in the grand scheme of things. They were guessing it was Peregrina and seemed to have no intention of heeding the warning. Lukkar somehow managed to link Peregrina's warning to a Lavrin Greymantle. Not sure what he was on about.Airday, 11th of Twelfthmonth, 1533 ERWarriors from the Tower of Guardian Flame arrived and talked to Deng. They asked if he was willing to fight the multi-coloured skeleton in the Blackstone Hills known as Vaugn. I was keen but many of the others do not fancy a fight against the unliving. Another time then.The actions of the night fey continue. We have heard of bandits, more abductions, more bacchae, increased tribute demands, some of the ancient night fey rousing themselves. Something must be done.The expedition from Highkeep returned. In bits. Not all were accounted for.Waterday, 14th of Twelfthmonth, 1533 ERDire news indeed. Blackvale has been destroyed. Survivors tell of a lone redcap axeman who slaughtered most of the villagers as they tried to defend themselves. Other night fey then burnt down the village. Lukkar remembers Blackvale, they once destroyed a shrine of the Dark near there. Much good it is to the villagers now.Otherday, 15th of Twelfthmonth, 1533 ERSakorat's followers have a crude place to live now, with the harp of building providing much of the work. A low wall has been completed around the mansion and soon the whole temple-mansion-dwelling complex will be fortified.Waterday, 19th of Twelfthmonth, 1533 ERAt last! A messenger has arrived from Highkeep. They want to speak to the Company of the Valiant Blade on a matter of importance. We get ready to ride there now, and I intend to take Borsca on our journey.Hopefully they want us to take care of the goings on around Highkeep Forest. Otherwise we may have to take matters into our own hands.End of Session Eighteen</blockquote>

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