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Message: <blockquote data-quote="PieAndDragon" data-source="post: 3619461" data-attributes="member: 18108">Return JourneyOnce Hoisin returned our shouts, we turned our attention to the spoils of battle. As Khaki claimed the torn helm we were left with scraps of bronze armour, a heavy lead breastplate, and a map none of us could decipher. I recognised some of the features as those of Balazor, so we packed it to sell once we returned to Jonstown. After a few minutes, Hoisin’s sight returned, and after checking our horses were fine, we bedded down for the night.Having a unanimous dislike of the land, we left by the most direct route we could, eager to be on our way and returning to the our home city. I didn’t want to see the grassy plains of Balazor for a long, long time. It had little to offer beyond a few tribes of primitive hunters, families of baboons, and large families of various beasts. Its only meagre makings of civilisation were two unkempt towns, one ruled over by a man who mistakenly called himself a king.Our return journey was unremarkable, as we avoided the tracks of dangerous beasts, and had fair weather the whole way. Widgeon did his part in the watches and around the camps and but kept himself apart from us much of the time. Supplemented by  the catches of myself and my faithful hawk, we dined on trail rations, fungi and roots. After nine weeks we were ready for other company, and welcomed the sight of Jonstown’s walls.Not so welcome however, was the reaction when we returned the battered helm to the priestess of Savanka. She took it, and that was it. Apparently Khaki was repaying a debt by retrieving it. My temple had sent me on a wild goose trek which had taken half a year. Maybe they like me as much as I like them. We split what little spoils we had, selling pieces of troll armour and other petty valuables. Our only finds of value were a silver bracelet which allowed the user to use a strength spell, and a potent potion of healing. Which left us only the troll’s map to sell.We grew suspicious when three temples made us good offers, including my own. Further investigation revealed that the map displayed the location of a troll priest’s tomb, long sought after by treasure hunters. After negotiations with all three temples, we sold a copy to the church of Yelmalio, waiting a week to then sell the original to the healing cult and kept a copy ourselves. The proceeds made up the majority of our profits from the Expedition. Any hopes we had of tracking down the tomb disappeared when my fiery comrades sent gryphon riders to loot the temple in the name of the Sun Lord.My next few weeks were spent relaxing a little, visiting some family members, avoiding others, learning the basics of Firespeech, undergoing two weeks of gruelling exercises to improve my upper body strength, drinking in various taverns and enjoying my time in civilisation. After talking to my superiors, it was agreed that I had worked most of my yearly tribute to Yelmalio already, only requiring one more week in the temple’s service. They also agreed to let me train others in the javelin or take the lessons on grace, coordination and speed. My relations with my temple appear to have improved in recent weeks.I also made the first step to testing the limits of the Muskovy Curse. Gathering up my courage, I approached the temple of Humakt, swore to uphold their codes and beliefs, and joined as a lay member, finishing with a drunken celebration including Liverpate and Hoisin. There is a rivalry between Yelmalio and Humakt, and to my knowledge, none of my family have joined the Humakti. Certainly none have left the cult of Yelmalio and lived to tell the tale. All I am searching for is a path outside of the one laid down for the Muskovy family, free to choose the life we live. Maybe there is no spirit watching over us, or any bonds to the Sun Lord. I will take great care in the coming weeks.The temple of Yelmalio found a warrior who needed training in javelin techniques, but we were interrupted after three days by Hoisin. The Initiate of Humakt had been asked by his cult to destroy a band of broo spreading disease and corruption in a town a weeks travel away. He had gathered supplies from his temple, and already convinced Khaki to join him, Liverpate and another initiate of Humakt named Drake. Arranging for another priest to take over the javelin tuition, I gathered my things and made ready for another adventure.And in all my time back in the city, I had yet to see the man I married.</blockquote>

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