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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Zora" data-source="post: 2829941" data-attributes="member: 30156">Journal entry 5/12/06Dear Grandfather, I wish I could block out some of the events of the past few days.After defeating some of the lesser creatures of chaos, I went towards the huge amorphousblob heading towards the circle of wagons.  Still letting my anger fuel my strength, I attemptedto strike it a mighty blow when it engulfed me and swallowed me whole.  I suddenly found my hammer to be useless as I was surrounded on all sides by the insides of this hideous monstrosity.I pulled out one of my throwing axes and started to hack as fast as I could before it's stomach crushed me or it's stomach acid ate away at me.  At one point inside in the creature, I felt the comforting feeling of Lathander's blessing upon me.  Shortly thereafter the creature went still andmy friends cut their way through to me.  I was badly hurt, but still alive.The leader of the brethren, a warpriest of Dumathoin named Rogar Deepspike told us not to enjoy our victory, for we could see in the distance that more were approaching.  This was the third such monstrosity they'd faced in the last few days.  He believes they're attracted to the starmetal they hold in their wagons.  They couldn't get their mounts to move, as the strange chanting we had been hearing all along was causing them to not move, and the dwarves were adamant about protecting their life's works.We offered to help by finding the source of the creatures and possibly eliminating it; and went offfollowing the slime trails that these creatures left on their way towards the dwarves' camp.We approached and saw a small hill with several figures surrounding an altar chanting and creating the chaotic liturgy we'd been hearing.  There was a rift in the sky of blackness where the chaos seemed centered.  Pakkin offered us each a vial that enlarged us, the better to get past the black tentacles that emerged from the hill after coming down from the sky.  I decided for my sanity's sake to let my rage take over, so that I might not remember as clearly some of the things I might see.We struggled our way to the top, while Telemnar was made ghostlike and floated directly past the wards and tentacles towards the priests.  The rest is a bit of blur, almost like I wasn't there.I simply focused on striking anything that looked like one of the priests or their allies as hard as I could.  I vaguely remember some blackness that stung and prickled me, but can't tell you what it was.After a while, the last of the priests fell to a ray of light from Liadan,  when suddenly the priests were pulled into the rift by the large tentacles.  A single figure emerged from the rift, claiming his master would return, when a single tentacle pierced his head and the rift vanished.  As the man slumped to the ground drooling, a cacophonous blast engulfed the hill and I was no longer in control of myself.That's where the nightmare truly began for me.I had the incredible urge to flee and did so as fast as I could.  I did not want to, but my mind was so addled, it's like I was merely a passenger in my own body.  Telemnar chased after me to see what was wrong, and that's when I suddenly turned and struck him as hard as I could!  I could barely hear what my companions were saying, as I was filled with my rage and this odd feeling of disconnection.  I tried to stop myself, but I had no control.  Telemnar drew weapons and attacked in return.  I completely understand why he would do this.  He needed to protect himself.  I just wish it wasn't my best friend who felt the need to protect himself from me.But as we stood there, I could see he wasn't quite himself either.  That's when I struck what I thought was a killing blow to my best friend.  After striking him down, I suddenly felt the urge to rush towards the evil altar and destroy it.  I was just glad to be moving away from my friends.  Sadly, that did not last.  The valiant Nekaya attempted to tackle me to keep me from doing further harm to anyone.  I screamed as loud as I could for her to stop, but nothing came out except a snarl as I sidestepped and hit her in the stomach.*  I try to smash Pakkin's small frame, but he was too quick for me and remained unscathed.  She attempts again and succeeds in grabbing me, but I break free and strike her again, causing her considerable pain.  She and Pakkin both readied themselves to try again as I desperately tried to tell them to stay away!The fog lifted from my brain, and I realized I was tensed to strike at them again.  I dropped my hammer just as they both tackled me to the ground.  I managed to convince them I was myself once again.  While reluctant, they believed me and let me go.I went to my dear friend and apologized, but he simply waved it off as if nothing I did could ever upset him.  I couldn't ask for a truer friend.  Which is why my heart hurts about what I've done.We then debated the fate of the mindless chaos servant still left on the hilltop.  Nekaya and I were in agreement that he should be killed, but Liadan -bless her soul- wanted to give him a new beginning, as is her wont.  She came to realize that Lathander himself would not tolerate the things this man has done in the name of an evil god.  Nekaya dispatched him and we headed back to the dwarves, but not before we found some abominable spellbooks that tried to resist the bonfire we created for the bodies.  We also found some starmetal, Pepa!I finally have a chance to work with something as rare as starmetal.  When we got to the dwarves, they offered to purchase the starmetal from us, of which I parted with most so my companions could share some coin.We told Rogar to let his men sleep and my companions and I would guard them during their much-needed rest.  I promised their safety upon my position as an Outwarden.  He asked me to swear upon the name of my father, which I refused.  I swore upon your name, Pepa.  It seemed appropriate and felt right.The next morning they awoke refreshed and with some healing from my companions, were hale and hardy and ready to go.  They were traveling to a coastal city to trade/sell their goods, of which there are MANY fine and wondrous weapons, armors, and other items of fantastic craftsmanship.  They thanked us for our help and offered each of us a gift.  Rogar proclaimed that I was one of the hardiest warriors they've ever met and that they had nothing that could improve upon my ability.  Honestly, I was so moved that my own people thought so highly of me that I was struck almost speechless!  They bestowed upon me a ring that would protect me from the effects of anything acidic, such as being swallowed again.  I was so honored that even though I translated the ceremony for my friends, I cannot recall clearly what they each received.Afterwards, I purchased two masterfully crafted throwing axes and gave to Rogar that silver mug we'd found those many months ago that I've been restoring and adding to in my spare time.  He seemed appreciative of the gift and we soon got to talking about crafting.  I showed him the hammer you made me and told him the story of how Olsom managed to bring out the magic inside of it.  It was good to talk to some of the People without getting those looks because of my past.  I commissioned a suit of mithral plate mail from them and hope to pick it up at the coastal town once we finish the delivery of the package to Kal Brimstone.We traveled for 2 days towards Brimstone Keep.  During this time, I found myself a little anxious about all the time spent awake.  I started really reading those books I bought in Ankhapur, hoping to learn more about Serrah's people and their customs.  It's quite interesting reading, but I make sure to only do it when someone else is on watch, and my full attention is not necessary.  I've found this to be an effective way of avoiding the perils of being on watch for too long.  Keeping my mind sharp while honing my senses.  This way I can keep watch all night.  I've noticed that Nekaya herself is doing something similar.  I believe she might have something similar to my ring.She herself is a guardian of her people.  I'm coming to find more in common with this young lady.  Yes, I know I've said before that she's brash and acts before she thinks sometimes, but she has a good heart and means well.After a couple of days, we have become surrounded by a dense fog and finally stumbled across the town of Banin.  The town doesn't look kindly on strangers, as windows everywhere were closing and people were deliberately not talking to us.  We came to an inn and met the same sort that's found in every inn: the loudmouthed town guard.The Innkeeper looked nervous like he wanted us to leave, but I only had eyes for the 6 well-armored men sitting at one of the booths.  As usual with these types, they have more swagger than sense and were practically looking for a fight.  I told the leader that there was no need for this, but that we wouldn't shy away from it.  He told us to put our weapons behind the bar and accompany him, to which we all refused.  It was obvious what was going to happen.  I'd been in enough of these situations before to know that no amount of sweet-talking would avoid a scuffle.I told him in no uncertain terms that if he kept this going the way it seemed to be going, it would end bad for him.  His men flanked him in a style much akin to our kin with shields dancing about to aid those nearby, although they used short weapons as opposed to the mighty cleaving and crushing ones we do.  I told him there was only one way he was getting my grandfather's hammer, and he wouldn't like it.  He ordered his men to get us and I swiftly dispatched him and one of his companions.**  It well and truly began then as his men were well trained, but without their leader, they had a harder time working together and Erim cast something that slowed some of them down.  Shortly thereafter, the rest of them fell and I managed to knock the last one unconscious.  I was holding back and still they were dropping to the floor, dead.I took his hand axe as a trophy.It turns out that their armor was disguised to not show the Zhentarim symbols on them.  And Brimstone Keep is now under the rule of warlord Tellesk.  We believe Kal Brimstone might be a captive inside.  This will make it harder to deliver the package, that's for sure.* This was a natural 20, which I'm very glad I didn't confirm with or she'd have been dead.** The first round of combat my 3 attacks were natural 20, 20, 1.  Killed the leader outright and one of his men.PLAYER'S NOTE:  This was a fantastic session that had me worried about my companions and some great roleplaying.  The fight in the bar went perfect!  It happened like this:(guard)"<sneering>Put your weapons behind the bar, and we'll have a quick conversation."(Rock)"The only way you're touching my grandfather's hammer is when I ply it across your head."(guard)"Get them."Initiative roll of 19 for a 22, and Rock is first in initiative order.  5-foot step...(Rock)"You want my grandfather's hammer, here it is!"Natural 20, and 74 points of damage later, he's down from one shot.Woohoo!</blockquote>

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