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Milestones:

• Where Rynn and Ninean arrive in the mighty city of Greyhawk.
• Where Ninean accompanies his comrades to the forest on an illegal orc hunt.
• • Where, while on this orc hunt, Ninean dies.
• Where the party visits Castle Greyhawk… a silly place.
• • Where, fighting a troll, Tassadar dies.
• Where ‘Riel is arrested, and a large secret is revealed.
• • Where ‘Riel is tried, and convicted for being drow, and for showing the Bladesong.
  • Where ‘Riel is executed.
• Where we meet Devaresh the Centaur on the plains, and Jack.
• Where we arrive in Homlet
• • Where we make our first trip to the Moathouse
• Where we travel to Endobar, and there meet the strange Mayor
• • Where, while hunting giants, we attack many giant trolls, who kill Kalar, and we are then found by a nightmarish cousin of the minotaur.
  • Where Tassadar returns, the Earth trembles, and Callal takes ill.
  • Where the Mayor is defeated, his creations destroyed, and Callal is killed.
  • Where we are beset by a horrible storm, Ninean is wounded, and this book is damaged.
• Where we return to Homlet, to explore the Moathouse.

Sunday, 9 Coldeven: A cloudy day to arrive in Greyhawk with Rynn. We get off lucky with fees, as "students". We hope to find employ soon, it’s sure to be an expensive place to visit or live. On our way to seek work, we meet two women… outgoing to say the least.

[ Margin Note: Callal and Anariel (‘Riel) here went from Aurora’s to the Mercenary’s Guild. Here, poor Anariel had to adjust the attitude of a mercenary who had decided he fancied her. Solomon encountered them during Anariel’s negotiations in the street.

Tassadar was still far from the city.

Anariel and Callal go for a drink to celebrate].

Callal and Anariel (‘Riel) share with us a beer, a BIG beer. We promise to meet them for a meal later on, and leave them to seek cheaper housing than their own. What we do find amazes me. The College requires 2 years of our time, which despite being very affordable, is a little too much investment for me, or for Rynn right now. A mage recommended that we find ourselves a patron or a mage willing to take on part-time apprentices or couriers. The Wizards’ Guild Hall demands thousands of gold pieces per year in dues! Like I’ll ever see that much money at once. I hope my attempts to learn and study are not fruitless! It would seem that I could only afford 10 days here if I find no work!

Wonderful. I’ve gotten on exactly the wrong foot with Jawal Severnain, the librarian at the Wizards’ Guild Hall. Now I’m reading a book written by the man himself, about the drow, to apologize for a stupid comment I made. We’ll be here for hours. What an idiot I am; I’ve got to learn to keep my big mouth shut and learn, damn my eyes.

[ Margin Note: ‘Riel and Callal for a drink with Solomon, and four mysterious posters are mounted… Meanwhile, Tassadar meets a happy reception at the gate (being mistaken for Kwall, the "elf-mage with the feather-thing" He finds his way to an eerily, almost suspiciously hospitable house in the poor quarter ].

Jawal has allowed us to sleep in the catacombs beneath the library. Good night.

Moonday, 10 Coldeven: A partly cloudy, cool morning and we are to meet our friends from yesterday at the petit bazaar. This entry will be short and the others for a time also. I have to keep my hands rested for the scribing job Jawal has generously offered us!

We’ve met Tassadar, an old friend of ‘Riel’s. He’s got a job down in the bazaar, and the girls are staying in the Wizard’s Hat inn. I can’t wait to get at these books. Tonight we join them for a drink, and find a place to stay, since our curfew is the 9th hour of even.

We went to drink with them, and I discovered that sundown today is the beginning of the Festival of the Blood Moon. Oh, if only I could brush against such an event.

Godsday, 11 Coldeven, and Festival of the Blood Moon: A partly cloudy morning, and no work to do! A quiet day spent exploring the city and hearing disappointingly little about the festival.

Waterday, 12 Coldeven: A clear and sunny day! We arrange to leave with the hunt party tomorrow.

Earthday, 13 Coldeven: First day on the hunt, we’re attacked by wildlife (centipedes) and reach the forest.

Waterday, 19 Coldeven: Here comes a space where I am unable to make entries. There was rain, or danger, and I could not afford to bring the book out for fear of being forced to leave it behind. To wit, our first night in the forest, an earth spirit attacked us. I commanded the thing to flee us, and we used the precious moments we had, to mount the horses and flee in the other direction! If this tome had been in my lap, it would have been left behind. I could not risk it, and so I attempt to fill in now what I missed.

Two gangs of vile orcs attacked us, just before dawn each time. The second, I was struck viciously, and as I lay bleedling, I had a vision of our Mistress herself, approaching me as beneath a walk of elms, wreathed in mists, lit from behind as from a thousand bobbing torches. I tried to speak her name, to incant the devotions, but the weight of silence was heavy on my feeble chest. The flickering light caught against her cruel nails as she put a finger to my lips. I remember nothing more, but have a sense that she spoke to me, said something of significance. How I wish I could remember it, but I console myself in the knowledge that if she meant me to remember, I would. I believe it will become clear when it is needful.

When I awoke to my astounded companions who swore they had watched me die, my wounds were healed, and we had beaten away the orcs. I was brought to Tassadar, who himself lay dying of grievous wounds. I invited the Mistress to show me her desire for this man. Her power began to channel through me, and I could feel him quicken beneath my fingers. Her strength flowed through me over the next several days to bring strength to my other companions as well.

We returned to the city on the evening of the 19th, as I write this entry…

Moonday, 24 Coldeven: We go to Castle Greyhawk this day. What a strange place this is… sentient ducks, flying spike-shelled snails, half-height minotaurs, walking sharks… We go to sleep and still have no peace. I dare make no further notes, lest we are disturbed by something else, even less happy.

Godsday, 25 Coldeven: This day, we find a disused bar, and the remains of a zoo. We rescue Zando, "Office Manager", from a two-headed crettin. He asks us to take up the task of ridding this former mages’ tower of its infestation. We don’t dare commit to anything, but are willing to explore it, in hopes of stumbling upon something to help. Callal meets a very odd hydra in the privy, (Erik makes Pepsi come out of Dave’s nose), and we descend into the tower cellars. Here, we meet a very … ignorant doorman golem. Beyond his door, we find orcs and bugbears who ignore us, some telling us to "get back to work". This is a very odd place indeed. In our first fight, we meet a troll, from which Rynn saves us with a well-thrown torch. In the fight, I save Tassadar and Kalar, from the Threshold of the Gate but my Mistress quickly corrected my haste, as the troll tore into Tassadar most grievously, and I could only comfort him as he took a trip to the goddess herself. Strangely, although She was so insistent about meeting Tassadar, She sent him back to us, and he appeared most vital! I will later have to question him on what he recalls, for that surely She had purpose to this meeting with our friend, perhaps even relevant to my meeting with her in the forest?

Waterday, 26 Coldeven: What a strange day! What a strange place! First we run into Mudstone and his golem-servant… serving mouse-head snacks… in preparation for the party which Mudstone is throwing. We convinced four guards that we were the ‘Nobody’ they were supposed to let pass, and found our way into the party room. I, for one, am glad

[these following pages were ruined by waterstains. I hope I have remembered enough.]

I for one am glad we weren’t made to stay for the party. Evidently, Azmodeus was invited. Either Mudstone is insane, and lying, or else he’s telling the truth, and is even MORE insane. We met a host of strange things… a gellied cube, scented of strawberries. Were-bears, made of a colourful gelly. Popinfarsh… who could forget Popinfarsh? White, squeaky, and annoying as hell. And the mind-fileter, whose name I forget. We crossed him, and got him angry at us. So we stole his stuff, I got a very nice robe.

We found an unbelievable indoor farm, with globes of light suspended. What a wonderful work that must be! I’d love to have studied them more.

We got trapped in a horrid room with an oven, which just kept getting hotter and hotter. Eventually, using a ladder taken from my robes, we escaped through a grate in the ceiling into tiny pipes.

[these previous pages were ruined by waterstains.]

Callal froze up while we were crawling through the tiny pipes. I had to calm her down with a Command, before she could regain control of herself. I didn't realise she was so afraid of tight spaces. I'll have to remember that. But then, came the Gingerbread man. It was a hideous thing, large and savage. We couldn't deploy into the room fast enough to confront it in concert. I pulled a pit from my coat to help us get into the room faster, and Callal and I fell into it, knocking ourselves unconscious. Tassadar fell 20 feet and broke his arm horribly. That poor child is cursed, he must be! It looks mangled; we need to return to the surface. Callal has landed badly on her ribs, as well.

We did triumph over the gingerbread man, and now we are holed up in this little room. I pray we can stay safe from the locals until we can heal ourselves enough.

Freeday, 28 Coldeven: We were not disturbed today, thank the Mistress. But I gave Solomon my first conferment of healing, and he insisted on healing Tassadar, who was on the Mistress' doorstep. We were 'at odds', so said he, and forced his way past me to Tassadar. I could not bring myself to heal Tassadar until I'd been given insight. Solomon, in resentment for my reticence in healing Tassadar, would not accept through me the gifts of the goddess' healing, and I was forced to turn them onto myself. After much prayer, the blessed Mistress sent me the image of forgiveness for the living and for the impatience of the self-righteous, and I bent my tasks to the aid of Tassadar. Solomon and I may have much to resolve after this day's events.

Starday, 1 Growfest: We are impatient to leave this place. I can't begin to describe how smelling one's own waste constantly will hurt the morale of an injured and perhaps fearful group. It's well that nobody has many open wounds to become infected. We have not yet been disturbed, and for that I am thankful. Solomon and I still aren't speaking.

Sunday, 2 Growfest: We are not yet ready to travel, since Kalar is still heavily wounded. -(After a day)- Kalar is healthy; we're ready to go. In the morning we set out. I should mention my other companions, who haven't made any appearance in these annals in the past few days. ‘Riel's hand is finally better, she's back to using both her weapons. I think she had a problem with my standing up for my faith in that incident with Tassadar, but she and Tassadar are very close, it could only be expected. Kalar was very upset with my choice of action in that episode, even threatening violence against me. Solomon threatened me with death, even. Rynn stayed out of the incident, he's been reading every waking hour of the day. I haven't had a good chat with him while we've been down here… too busy, I suppose.

Moonday, 3 Growfest: Today we were attacked by strange spike-handed skeletons. They attacked while we were asleep. I was absolutely inspired, I do believe. Creating another pit and a door which toppled, took care of 6 skeletons, and trapped the last one outside the room. What a marvellous robe! The prelates will be very interested in this, I daresay. If I leave them any patches to study, that is! In any case, we've patched up enough and we're finally leaving.

On the way out, we met a strange shade named Gallomojin, the (very thirsty) master-wizard, who directed us through the curtain-wall, which took us back to the level where we met those curious ducks...

Then back to Greyhawk City. And good riddance, for now at least!

Godsday, 4 Growfest: (Celene's Full Moon, and Vernal Equinox) Today, we divided up the spoils. By Her Grace! What a great pile of treasure! For the records, I'll document it here. Well over a thousand pieces of gold, with a hundred of them being indescribably ancient Baklunish providence! A collector would pay easily a hundredfold their marked value. Above that, we hold gems… a large opal (worth a thousand gold itself), five emeralds (between them worth almost two dozen times the value of the opal), a magical ring (called a ring of Shooting Stars by the mage we asked to identify it), and a precious knife of mithril. Oh, how widely Kalar's eyes opened at the sight of it. I trust it'll find its way to his forge some day.

Tomorrow, we bring a portion of the goods to ‘Riel's friend. I learn today that this 'friend' is in fact the head of the thieves' guild of the city. What a crowd we have fallen in with. Between catching up on my work with Jawal, and helping to heal Tassadar's arm, I'm a busy man. My entries in here may be short for a while, my hand is usually so tired by the end of a full day.

Earthday, 6 Growfest: One note of interest: ‘Riel's sword has been replaced. Evidently these swords are 'loans' from the thief-prince himself. This one is black, and has an interesting past! ‘Riel came to ask Jawal, wondering if it was of drow elf origin and even though it was not, he did in fact know of the sword. Here's what I remember from what he told her (my spelling may be suspect): Danna Kurian created a sword named 'Hunger' for the elf-queen Sherafir during their war against the Ir Flanae. The sword was evil and the queen rejected it, which drove her son the creator mad, and he struck her down. He then broke the armies of the Ir Flanae, and entombed himself in his keep. The woods around it have darkened and become known as the Coldwood. This Coldwood has become guarded by a set of Sentinels, armed with black swords of great marvel and wonder. The thief-prince, and now ‘Riel somehow have come into possession of one of these swords.

Starday, 1 Planting: Today, Tassadar's arms are hale once more. I've spent my few spare hours over the past few days shopping for a walnut-sized piece of quartz and a few tubes of incense. The gem I will crush to powder and burn in offering to Her Grace. Some of the incense I found aids in the study of magic. I've given some of this to Tassadar, and some more to Rynn, to help their learning.

Moonday, 3 Planting: Jawal gave me some tips today. I'm thinking of eventually petitioning to create a temple in Greyhawk in the thieves' quarter. I need to win over the head of the thieves' guild (‘Riel's friend?), and the head of the beggers' guild. Then I need to clear it with the quarter's counsellor, and finally get local guilds and unions to construct it. I'm sure graft at all steps will be required. Perhaps I should keep my ears to the ground, find a chance to offer my services to speed a friend or relative to Her Halls. Interesting. But now back to my books!

Godsday, 4 Planting: Oh, goodness. ‘Riel has been arrested! Elves from the country of Celene in the Kron hills, have taken her for "Dancing the Blade", a form of combat art somehow sacred to the elven people, and also for being a drow (that this would be a "crime" is news to me!) Of course, Tassadar and Callal came to speak to Jawal and myself immediately. He will consider it. All we can hope for. It seems Tassadar earlier went to speak to the thief-prince (Ogneshin?).

Good news from Rynn, however. He's managed to land an apprenticeship! An apprenticeship with Mordenkainen, of all mages! For their mutual love of raisins! A more fitting fate I could never have written by myself. Oh, the dice-games the gods do play. So today he leaves for the Obsidian Citadel in the Yatil Mountains.

Solomon's secret guilt has evidently overcome him at last, and he goes to quest this night. I have the feeling we will see him again before all is ended. But now, it's been a busy day, and I have work to catch up on, before our trip.

Earthday, 6 Planting: The boat leaves port at dawn, I've been up for a few hours now, and I can't seem to sleep any longer. The party has fractured, but I still feel this group is blessed and watched by Her own providence. I trust this will go well for all of us.

Now we are with captain Deudermont on the elven Caravelle "Sea Sprite". The other 20 crewmembers and the guards are elven, but I'm surprised that the captain and first mate are both humans. Not typical of what I've seen of these people so far, not typical at all.

Earthday, 13 Planting: The ship has been asail for a week now by my count. We've only achieved the Sea of Gearnat, still a half-day from the strait into the Azure Sea. We're probably two more weeks from Celene. I'm starting to dislike the sea.

A little excitement this afternoon as we were attacked by giant octopi! Easily handled with all the crewmen, however. There were no casualties or even any injuries.

Sunday, 16 Planting: We met almost half-a-hundred walking fishmen today. Once again, an easily handled meeting, these elves are an organized crew and know how to handle themselves in a conflict. I feel that much more secure in their care.

Godsday, 18 Planting: Finally we enter the mouth of the Suss river. The captain tells me we will pass the edge of the Pomarj, then turn back northwest through the Suss forest, and straight on from there to the capital of Celene and our destination.

Freeday, 21 Planting: At last we've entered the shelter of the Suss. Uneventful trip. Light winds have delayed our travel quite a bit. I'll be happy to set foot on ground again. We expect to put in perhaps 4 or 5 days now. The winds being so light, I wouldn't lay any money on it.

Godsday, 25 Planting: The trip up the Suss took a week, and today we put into port, and are taken to Enstad. What a city. I write this on my own peril, but I think I saw Kalar weep when he saw the spires of the walls. It is an impressive sight. We're treated very clearly as suspect and less than honoured guests, but our room is the most luxurious I've ever stayed in, no contest! Waiting for us in these rooms is Jawal, and we spend the evening discussing how to approach the trial on the morrow. I fear the morning… I can't think of much to say in defence of ‘Riel… she is reckless, she is secretive… I can only hope this comes out for the best.

Waterday, 26 Planting: Court… a five-pointed open-air court. Beautiful, but I cannot permit myself to become distracted. Jawal wishes to testify, and I must assume his position as legist while he does so. General Raiken begins as the prosecution's first witness, testifying to the character of Drow in general, in combat mostly. I read his mind, and found his attraction to Drow women and Drow armour and weapons.

Jawal calls ‘Riel as a witness. Prince Melf Brightflame arrives immediately after Callal's speech, and praises her directness, and even offers to testify if we need him. Tassadar is called next and dismissed as a witness for being a half-drow. I am called after, and am dismissed for my faith. I replace Jawal and call Jawal to the stand… We weren't prepared for the order which came after I was done with him… I was locked into the role of legist, Jawal would not be permitted to resume his role! I did my best, I dare say I did quite well. But the court was too set in its old ways… ‘Riel is to be executed tomorrow morning. Jawal can do nothing, as he is here as a friend of the Council of 8. We are powerless to resist this fate.

Earthday, 27 Planting: Melf gives us a visit, in the morning. We have a little chat, during which I learn two interesting but totally unrelated things… There are Beholders are in the library, and Elves have navels. The first is important because I'll probably never be able to work there again without constantly peeking over my shoulder, or walking very carefully in the book aisles. The second is important because of how Melf describes his people. He called them stuffy and boring and heavily introspective. I think I'd call it navel-gazing, but I wasn't sure the term applied. Now I see that it does. In any case, Melf is feisty and fierce proponent of going Out and learning the way my temple's prelates have sent me to learn the world, not pondering an abstract reality from one's own safe little cushioned corner of the world. I agree quite fully with him there… but having spent two nights in someone's cushioned corner, I have to admit I see the appeal.

Jawal also has words with me. He was impressed at my ability in the court, and gives me a leave of absence until harvest time, to study more of the world. Between my duty to my temple, Melf's advice, and Jawal's leave, that is precisely what I intend to do!

Later that morning, the sentence is carried out. ‘Riel died without last words, and bravely, by the hands of two elven swordsmen, who cleave head from body expertly. We are sent on our way, cordially but firmly. We decide to go from the city by foot, and walk back towards Greyhawk, passing the ruined Temple of Elemental Evil, an excellent place to study arcane magics and death, I dare say!

Freeday, 28 Planting: On the plains, we met a most curious fellow this day. Devaresh is a centaur, who was being hunted by two most unpleasant men, with dogs. He had been shot twice through the chest, and asked for "Help". Callal frightened away the two men, by putting into them the fear of WeeJas! How curious, that my beloved Lady should inspire such fear, that my friends use her name as a weapon?

Starday, 1 Flocktime (Beory's Day): Today, we met Jack and parted company with him as well. Jack seemed an unassuming traveller, eager for the company of our party during the common portion of our travels. Through study, I discovered he was a were-jaguar, and hostile. That night, despite being warned, Mizz’ri alone joined him on his hunting foray into the nearby woods. He nearly overpowered her, but in the end, she sent him away, licking his wounds. She wasn’t able to kill him, however, and I admit a suspicion that we haven’t seen the last of him.

Earlier that day, however, Devaresh noticed Callal’s attention, and asked me about it. With some brief instruction in the Common tongue, Devaresh politely offered her a ride. Without over-assuming, I believe I can say that Callal was completely, if briefly enthralled.

Godsday, 4 Flocktime: It’s been 2 days now since Devaresh left us, near the wooded lands, with a fond farewell. I do hope we may meet him again, though that wish is admittedly silly and sentimental. We met a trail this morning at last, after days of travel so boring that no entry here was warranted. We find Homlet a few hours up, past a fork in the trail. We see ruins in the distance, but something tells us that they aren’t those of the Temple. We stop at the Welcome Wench, where I pen these words. This town in middling-size… All the essentials: brewer, baker, weaver, tailor, leatherworker, smith, with even a few luxuries: jeweler, money-changer, cheese-maker, limner, and a trading post. The tailor is well-educated. I wonder if he is knows of Jawal? I went shopping, and found several reagents: white strips of cloth, and a leaded ring.

Waterday, 5 Flocktime: Kalar slept poorly, I hope he’s well. He claims it’s just the ruinous comfort of the too-soft beds, but I’m not certain. We go exploring, north of the city, and find Rufus and Byrne’s tower. They tell us of the Moathouse, the ruins we saw yesterday, and warn us away from disturbing the Temple.

Earthday, 6 Flocktime: Kalar was indeed sick, and may he forgive me for intruding into his thoughts to discover it. I have not yet enough of My Lady’s grace to heal him, so Mizz’ri discreetly took him to visit the priests at St. Cuthbert’s church. He feels much better, and I dare say that Mizz’ri can indeed be discreet when needed. There’s one bet I’d have lost.

Freeday, 7 Flocktime: Brother Smith came to find me to-day, and gave me another ring, one he said his superiors felt might "work better for my purpose". How embarassing, to be so transparent when I thought myself being innocuous. To attone for my deceit, and perhaps to foster the future goodwill of these powerful men, I asked after the recipe of an herbal infusion for Kalar’s health, and left the brother druid a small sack of gold. I think we’ll be remembered kindly.

Also, the clothes commissioned by the women are done, so go stow them away, and travel to the Moathouse by daylight to see what might be seen. They’re in ruins, but have been occupied as recently as the night before. Callal had no luck this day, attacked viciously by a snake and a giant tick. My Lady’s name was invoked often in Callal’s sake this afternoon.

We found in a dark corner just to the back-left, at the top of the central staircase, a narrow flight of stairs leading below. Not even off those steps though, fetid slimes left us stinking, sore, and without light. We return home, to better prepare ourselves for another expedition.

The last thing we did before returning here to the inn was offer Elmo the chance to join with us. To test him, Mizz’ri had the drunkard fight her outside the inn. She won handily, but I dare-say that even for one in the sauce, he fought well. I suggested we take him on and buy him armour with the understanding that his share of any spoils will be forfeit until we have been paid back for our investment. I think we’d best wait until morning to tell him.

Sunday, 9 Flocktime: We have decided against another trip under the Moathouse just yet, and have instead decided to pursue a rumour we have heard of bounty for the heads of giants, found in the hills. The bounty is to be claimed in Endobar, a nearby hamlet.

We find a giant quickly, but others had found him first… and what others! Horrible things these were, the size of large horses, but with the bodies of toads, and with large leathery wings, and horse-like heads, with three-plated jaws. They had presumably just killed the giant, and were now sucking the matter from him. The three beasts saw us and were surely hostile, but thankfully they were easily convinced to test their teeth on softer prey. I worry…

On the body of the fallen giant, we found leather armour, which Callal kept, and a container of a deep blue unguent, which I now have. With the head, minus a handful of hair for my pouch, we hike to Endobar.

The mayor, named Mordenheim, whom we visit soon after arriving, is a strange man, with a stranger home. He directs us to take the head to his rear out-building. This low non-descript place has large solid towers topped by metal balls, and his help reminds me of that golem kept by Mudstone. I think we’ll learn more about this man and his motives soon.

A mousy fellow named Fredigar owns the inn. Mizz’ri (who stayed behind while we claimed our bounty) had found the inn being entertained by a horrid greasy little man whipping a slave-girl. Fredigar could not afford to interrupt, and frankly had not the wherewithal to do so. Mizz’ri, however, was under neither such restraint. We arrived to find her on the stage whipping the grease-spot! The patrons were amused, and Fredigar seems to feel he owes us all he can provide us. I have become too much a cynic in all that has happened since I left the cloister. His largess was immediately suspect, to me. I hope he will not take it unkindly if he learns that I knew his mind that evening.

Moonday, 10 Flocktime: We have decided we must investigate this odd mayor more closely. His yard, and the towers, cannot be seen from anywhere but the wilderness, so they are not signal beacons unless they are meant for unwholesome communication. The easiest way to ferret him out is, we decide, to claim another bounty. We find another giant, who in his odd fashion and language, seems to challenge us. He fights us all, but is outmatched. At last, his knees hurt badly, he throws down his weapon with what can only be a cry of surrender. I know little of the giants, but it seems obvious to me his intentions were as noble as those of any fabled questing knight. Kalar did not feel so, and wanted the giant dead. I objected on the grounds of honour, and Kalar responded by driving his hammer into the helpless giant’s skull. I said my rites over that being’s still form, and commended him to My Lady.

Soon after this, however, Kalar heard the scream of a dwarf, and away we went trying to keep up to his pumping little legs. I found out that I will lose any footrace with these friends, and by the time I arrived, Mizz’ri was screaming at a small pack of giant trolls which had gathered around her. She was making very quick work of them, but the dwarf Kalar had heard had been felled in the moments it took us to arrive. I remember how Rynn rid us of the first troll we met, in Castle Greyhawk, and I invoked the fires of My Lady, and they burned the trolls with a thick black stinking smoke. A dozen there were when we arrived, and all fled burning or were killed. When I came to tend to the wounded, I thought that both dwarves were dead, but when I checked again, Kalar was alive and well… Could this have been another visitation, as both Tassadar and I had seen? Kalar claimed, on waking, that it was Dumathoin he’d seen (and who chastised him thoroughly!)… This phenomenon I find beyond curious, and now beyond coincidence. We are being watched over. By what or whom, and to what end, I wish I could from this vantage see.

The other dwarf was in fact killed, after getting back up mid-fight to give his last brave reckoning. He was only a boy, evidently. I credited his axe with his second kill-notch, and we began to bury him.

This day was cursed, or so I shall remember it… From this burial we were again interrupted by a horrid-looking thing that resembled a pairing between a minotaur and Devarash’s people. I was forced to invoke my most powerful boon of My Lady, and took Mizz’ri away to the grey "between" that I may venture into. There, I implored Wee Jas to repair her, and we rejoined the fray. The horrible thing fled as soon as we returned, so impressed was he of the workings of My Lady.

The presence of this thing, and of the horrible toad-like creatures from yesterday, and even the strange mayor of Endobar make me wonder about the temple. Is this place attracting the horrible, the evil, as the sages speak in fearful hushes? If these are merely the ‘advance scouts’, for some larger more fearsome force, I fear most sorely for our safety. But by the same token, mayhap this is the goal to which My Lady has arranged to send me… By my faith, I’ll see this through though it bring me and all my companions to see my Mistress too soon. And today, I would put no money that it won’t.

From now, I keep this journal as though each entry may be the last, and hope that others find it of use to triumph where we may fail.

Earthday 13 Flocktime: We’ve spent the last three days licking our wounds in the inn. With the benedictions of the Lady, we are mostly hearty and hale. My prayers this morning have been for more than just to return my companions to health… I think we prepare to investigate the Mayor’s demesne today or the next. If his work transgresses the provenance of my Mistress, he will be brought to task. But first, a little breakfast.

(Later): I write this quick note now, while Callal sleeps a little less fitfully, her fever momentarily abated. After breakfast, we suffered a tremendous quake of the firmament itself. Many of the party were terrified, but I feared it was a side-effect of one of the Mayor’s experiments. Mizz’ri and I ran to investigate. I took us into the grey mists of between, and we snuck into his keep. There I found my original fears unfounded. He had only two creations, and his work area was very nearly destroyed. His towers were collapsed, one directly onto us… what a strange feeling we felt as we passed through the metal globe mounted on top of the tower. Like passing a hand through thick oil, it tugged at me, I could even see the effects, it appeared to pull at my very substance! Mizz’ri felt it too.

When we left his keep, we found that Tassadar had appeared at the inn. He hadn’t intended to find us there, evidently, but had simply arrived. During our reunion, however, Callal took very ill, feverish and pale. She collapsed and could not be awoken. Damn my eyes for not seeing her ailments sooner. Of course, she must not have realized she was ill either. I have eased her a little, and now we sit in turns by her side, to watch her through the night. In the morning, I will pray for her deliverance, and all will be well, as long as she can pull through until then.

Also, tonight, Calar urged me to speak with Tassadar. He was clearly still confused about my refusal to aid him in the bowels of Castle Greyhawk. We spoken, and I prey he understands or comes to understand now what stayed my hand. Also, I now believe I see a shadow of the Lady’s designs, and I dare to presume this wisdom: that she means for us to persevere, for she wants us to grow, to be able to put right a great wrong. I suspect I even know that wrong, and I have spoken to Tassadar of it, but I will not write it here. One never knows where prying eyes peer, and forewarning would certainly signal our doom. I feel that I may never be capable of such a feat as I fear we have been set, but I cannot and do not question Her judgement.

Freeday, 14 Flocktime: Callal is well, the Lady be praised.

Starday, 15 Flocktime: We set out this day for the Mayor’s keep.

(Later): At the Mayor’s laboratory, we met the two golems, and they pushed us to the very limit. We were unable to harm them but through magical means. The small, quick one gave Mizz’ri little trouble, but the big slow one fell upon us from the flank, and Callal suffered a horrible wound. I can swear I heard the sickening crunch as her ribcage was crushed by the thing’s ham-fist. So, from the look he gave me after, did Tassadar. But yet when we defeated the vile mockeries of life the Mayor had crafted, we found her still alive, and mostly whole, without a single broken rib or bone. I’m not sure she would understand me well enough to explain if she had a vision before the Lady turned her back to us again, as I am now certain She is doing.

We then readied ourselves to pursue the worker of these horrible things, these puppets trapped halfway between life and death, denied the fullness of either. We did not know what we would face; if mad tinkering craftsman who had stumbled upon more power than he could with wisdom control, or if cruel magician, or even if crazed priest. We still do not know, for we found him smashed flat beneath his very own ceiling-light-fixture. The others searched his belongings, and found many wonderous things I detail here in the margin. While they did so, I sought to ask of the departed man questions, but he refused to answer. How I wish he had told me where his books and library were. We were unable to find them, and I fear very much what should happen if someone else were to find the key to such a door as this man used, with even less counsel than he had.

We found a shield, two swords (1 nice, 1 rusty), a golden flesh-coloured potion, 10 arrows, a silver-platinum ring, and a goldenwood rod.

Sunday, 16 Flocktime: This morning, we have little warning (from a fast and desperate rider) of a storm, which hits hard and suddenly soon after. Thanks to the warning, we have hidden ourselves in the basement of this inn. The creaking of the building above us makes us afraid, though most put on a brave face for the others. I especially fear for Callal, I know how she feels being closed in, and this must be a horror truly for her. I do not know how long we have been down here, but it must be near mi l

Godsday, 18 Flocktime: Oh, my head.

I have just looked back over the book as it lays beside me here in my cot by the good blacksmith’s forge. The water has smeared much of the writing, but I have been able to repair all of it save two facing pages which were sluiced to total illegibility. Those, I have recalled as well as my poor head will allow… Castle Greyhawk was a long time ago. How fortunate that I am reminded of it so recently with Tassadar’s re-appearance! She does provide, My Lady does. Her will, be Done.

Evidently, the abrupt end of my last entry was the collapse of the inn itself. I had to put away my book quickly, and without proper wrappings, a mistake I hope never to make again. The rest of that evening doesn’t lend itself well to my recall, save for the memory of Tassadar’s new sword blazing brightly, cutting through solid wood and earth to clear our path. My companions assure me that we had to crawl through the most narrow and treacherous of passages through rubble, to freedom. Finding ourselves in the open again, with the storm still raging, little safer than back in the basement, we beg shelter from the blacksmith. On my way across the muddy river which once was the street, I’m told I slipped and hit my head on a stone, dropping my bag into the river. My book, of course, took the worst of that damage. I am grateful that the damage was not so severe.

The storm did not ease until yesterday, just before mid-day. Earth-Quakes, violent storms, and creatures of nightmare. What will we find at the Temple? What horror awaits us?

(Later): I am grateful for Tassadar’s help today. He helped me, as I assisted the town to bury their dead, who numbered many indeed, eighteen all told. Such a momentous passing, I know My Lady looks upon this place today.

One family’s grandsire, grievously hurt during the storm, was ready to pass into Her halls as well today. I am thankful in all this destruction, that I was able to bring solace and ease to one such pilgrim. I heard his last thoughts and wishes, and I steeled him for the glory and splendour which awaited him in Her demesne. Old Aneilo died smiling.

Waterday, 19 Flocktime: We travel for Homlet today. We’ve left a good sum with the innkeep Fredigar, for rebuilding. Our only trouble of the day was a pair of Ettins who surprised us. We dispatched the one with little trouble, and as the other fled, Tassadar threw his sword through it… and that sword flew like a loosed bolt! We found it embedded in a far hillside, well past the ettin’s corpse. What a marvelous sword he’s found!

Earthday, 20 Flocktime: Almost upon Homlet, were are ambushed by strange wolf-like animals who lured us from the path with the sounds of a weeping boy. Curious indeed, but I must admit, a clever trick!

Starday, 22 Flocktime: We settled in at Homlet yesterday, and today we depart for the Moathouse, after a stop in at the trader’s.

(Later): We’ve sold some of the Mayor’s silver, and bought some supplies for our expedition to the moathouse. I have purchased another book, now that I’m more than half-way through this one. Now, to the Moathouse...