751. May 10th
The inquisition woke us this morning. Krajkah wasn’t feeling well. Esera and Lily had the baby. It’s a caliban, male. He is not wanted by the parents. Would normally be killed in Tepest.

We were told Wyan was waiting for us. Found Loebe outside his house; not a good sign. Within was Wyan and Rima, an even worse sign.

Lorelei went missing in the night. She took a magical artifact known as the Eye of Faerun. It’s a lump of gray crystal, but appears to be whatever the beholder desires most. Lorelei ran off with, perhaps willing, the Prince of Shadows, Laot.

Laot wants his sword back from a former member of his court, now deceased but risen as undead. She is to the north, in Keening, with all the other undead there. She seeks her child, also slain. She is cursed to never find her child of course, but if she sees the Eye, she will likely be fooled. Laot plans to exchange the Eye for his sword.

Rima suggests we journey north to see this exchange happen. It will occur at Mount Lament. She says we must let the exchange happen and save Lorelei at that exact moment, when both parties are distracted. A moment too soon or too late and we risk our deaths and Lorelei’s.

Her plan is puzzling and I pointed this out to the group. Is the Prince of Shadows really so powerful? Why would he ignore us if we do the deed that moment? Would he thwart us some other time perhaps? And what of this undead fey woman? Will she not realize her mistake and perhaps put all her undead servants into a frenzy?

There are many unknowns and Rima’s trustworthiness is one of them. It’s possible it isn’t even her. Wyan told us the fey are capable of creating copies of people, with the only known way of confirming a duplicate finding the original.

After the plan was solidified, we made arrangements. Arathmis has been paying attention to our journeys and noticed Krajkah’s magic. Though he also apparently made some mischief for Greabo. Esera wanted to find more healing agents but Viktal is lacking in such things. I bought some cold iron to make bullets. Lily bought a mule.

Back at Wyan’s, we were given supplies by the inquisition. Holy water, antitoxin, and other useful items. Lily asked Wyan to give us something to remind Lorelei of home and we received her mother’s apron. Hopefully these things will aid us on our journey into the heart of undeath.

The journey north began easily enough. Rima made some kind of arrangement with the hags that should keep us safe for a time.

Esera healed Krajkah’s remaining injuries, but one. The bite on his finger remained. Rima said it may be cursed.

Rima then began her readings. I want to say the readings can serve as proof of Rima’s identity, but even if a duplicate couldn’t do a true Vistana reading, it could still pretend to do one.

Arathmis went first. His future is entwined with the fey. There is a group of nine swords and individuals who seek something by any means necessary. His allies work towards a common cause. She sensed an army that could help us, escape the danger of the trap in the dungeon. That seems it could refer to events in the near future. The lords of nature, the arak, are in conflict.

Krajkah went second. He revealed his real name, Jorkvar Bofften. How many of my associates don’t go by their real names? How many hide their pasts? In a world filled with harrowing truths, a lie can be a shield. For me though, I believe truth has been a weapon. And I believe it doubly so for Krajkah. His cards came up as mainly wizards. The magic school of his past will come up again. He must resist the path of the black blade, whatever that might mean. He will be given a choice between protecting what is good, and choosing temptation. He must warn Isolde that the dark gentleman, who worked with the Prince of Shadows, is gaining ground. Isolde is in charge of the Vistani carnival nearby and the dark gentleman is the reason Rima left them. Krajkah was also told to seek out Madame Fortuna.

I went next. I chose not to ask for my own fortune, but rather the fate of those that seemed to perish in the theater. Though I was seeking a simple answer, this reading proved perhaps more complex and thorough than any other. All who attended the play sought entertainment, but some sought more. What happened was unexpected. Happenings were in the mist, but part of the world as well. We must look to the avenging power of the blade and the power of the mind. As I alluded to above, truth can be a weapon and we must determine what is true and what is not. Some time in the future, we will be ready to return. We can manipulate the fey to bring the innocents back from the mists. We must find the mistress of seduction, beauty, and art to get what we need.

I’m sure my companions hear innocents and lump Jeanne in. Krajkah thought I should get a reading of her. But I need not. She is innocent of crime, but not innocent like the baby we bring to Mount Lament. She fights in whatever way she can from within the mists. The word “illusion” in Ah Ben’s art is proof enough for me.

Esera refused to get a reading, so the last was Lily’s. Rima says she should be wary of a tax collector, in the literal sense. Quite puzzling. She also had warnings about the Lawgiver. If we are to journey to Nova Vaasa, it seems this reading is worth noting. The lawgiver’s clerics will be watching and we must conceal our magic. There will be a wizards who can help us. He reflects himself, as if he is two beings. One will help us, one oppose. There will be things we face that love fighting, and killing. They’ve come once before and will come once again unless we stop them.

751. May 9th, cont.
I approached the temple short of breath and woke Wyan and the others as fast as I could. The three leaders and six inquisitors joined me and Lily in our hunt for the fey. They gave us blessings in the form of spells and weapons. Some of them had what I believe was blessed platinum but they also gave me and Lily cold iron sickles.

We hurried south to find the fey. After a few minutes, I knew we would be close so we prepared with further spells. Shortly after, we found Krajkah and Arathmis, seemingly alone. Arathmis was leading Krajkah, who was apparently blind.

The torches turned blue and Wyan easily spotted the waspman in wasp form on Arathmis’s shoulder. The battle began. It was the most intense I’ve ever seen, despite that we only fought a waspman and a ratman.

The inquisition primarily used their fire magic and crossbow bolts, though the leaders had more powerful magic at their disposal. Arathmis simply went invisible as he did not have his weapons. Krajkah wasn’t able to attack the waspman, but he was able to overcome his blindness, though Hannett found himself blind before the battle was through.

Lily used her magic and words to influence the tides of battle. Once I found myself running off into the darkness, but Wyan was able to bring me back. The rest of the time I simply fired at the waspman. In the end, the waspman was destroyed and the ratman used some kind of magic to get away.

The inquisition claims they can heal Hannett’s blindness. Other than that, we made it out of the battle mostly unharmed. Krajkah and Arathmis explained to us that they were only working with the fey to remain alive though I question what would have happened to me should the fey’s plan have come to fruition.

Wyan explained more about the fey to us while we gathered up Arathmis and Krajkah’s weapons from Arathmis’s house. The fey can make simulacra of people. The original person loses his shadow. It can be very complicated to route out these copies and destroy them.

Wyan displayed a surprising amount of trust by giving us the code word to the temple and that is where I am currently staying, in a room with Krajkah. I even brought the tent we originally sought. That is not an ordeal I would undertake without at least achieving the objective.

Esera and Lily are at Joselyn’s taking care of the birthing. Esera is a competent healer. Everything there will be fine.

May the 9th, the year 751 BC

It’s only been a few days since I reflected back on my notes, and it seems cruel and wrong to do so now. I like to think I’ve been the best of myself I’ve ever been in a long time. Now only have I revealed the truth of my self to people, but I’ve gone against my better judgment too.

First, yes, we made it through the Tanglewood and the Hags. I was a little upset in my review… We had to endure the walk first and that was after figuring out if we were leaving the horses. We left all but one, just in case. First we fought Skulks, people who have lost themselves in nothingness. They cloak and hide, but it’s their skin that is invisible. Arathmis slew many as did I with that damned blade.

Then we came upon a goblin horde fighting trolls. I repelled the one blocking the female but trying to be as commanding as I could. We made rather quick work of the trolls. I didn’t do much but yell at one and I commend Krajkah’s attempts at strategy but it was Arathmis and certainly our deadshot Arden who took them. The goblins suffered the brunt of the dirty work.

We let the goblins go on ahead as we regrouped. We fought strange undead heads that spit seeds and poison or something at us. It was disgusting. Yet, it was nothing compared to their home with bones on the ground from all the dead, the ravens staring at us from the branches with still more heads, and then the Ladies themselves feasting on the flesh of one of the goblins. It was still alive…

I think they failed.

It was then I realized I had serious work to do. It became far more serious when the largest decided to threaten Esera and her purity. I was amazed to find myself eager to protect her. Krajkah was clever, making sport and testing the Lady’s abilities. I had even allowed my mind to be entered so as to allow my thoughts to be usable against them, but their physical strength was impressive. Krajkah went flying across the room.

We could get a tincture, maybe more, if we did chores for them. Fetch a ring they needed for their meals along with a fitting meal, give them the dagger and for free I’d have the curse removed, impregnate them while they wore disguises and I think I’m missing one.

Krajkah was fine with the impregnating. Arden was strictly against it. Arathmis wasn’t very pleased. I was willing but I held my tongue. I didn’t feel it necessary to play my hand if it wasn’t going to be an option anyway. I was however fine with getting rid of the dagger even if it probably meant it’d bite us in the ass later when the Arak got it.

So we agreed to get the ring by going through a portal inside the tree to some goblin area. We followed the cursed creature through caves where it attacked Kraj and Esera, who fell down paralyzed I believe. I couldn’t see but the others fought it in a tight area. Ring obtained.

Yet, when it came to taking one of the female goblins or a child no one was willing to do it except me. Esera certainly wouldn’t. Arden is a pretty noble soul so I wasn’t surprised. Krajkah when you get down to it doesn’t like that sort of thing. I was counting on Arathmis. I felt he knew better about the world, but face to face, he couldn’t stomach it. Knowing I couldn’t do it, except maybe kill one with that damn dagger, I went against everything I knew and said that bringing the ring back would probably be fine.

I know it was stupid. I know much better about promises and bargains. Vistani blood flows through me, whether I’m giogoto or not, I’ve traveled with them and learned. I shouldn’t have been surprised when they demanded something over the broken deal. One was going to have to be food.

Krajkah brought up the impregnation again and Arathmis was willing, but that’s when I chose to feed them my riddle. Rima said it would be helpful but I didn’t realize it’d be this helpful.

These letters two
Who annoy you
Though but one
Found under noonday sun

Y-N or Wyan. They were utterly consumed by it, distracted, and I admit I was shocked. Arathmis finally found the courage to go and sneak a tincture. Arden replaced it with an illusion but Arathmis grabbed another. We ran, though thankfully they remembered to drop off the regeneration ring.

We ran, quickly, all the way out with Kraj on horseback. Ravens sought us, but we hit and avoided them. They couldn’t have been happy but I wonder if they weren’t a little impressed. The tinctures couldn’t be too expensive for them to make, they had their ring back, and I gave them what I thought was a clever riddle. I’m not saying they wouldn’t kill us, but I bet they were amused enough to at least not kill us on sight.

So began our trek to check on Ivan, who was fine and then on to Viktal. We agreed not to speak of things in town and to call magic fish oil. Things didn’t start well. First while they went to stable the horse a group of Inquisitors came to harass us. I tried to appease their need to control and bully our desire to advocate.

Inside we started speaking with Jocelyn and the owner of the Fisherman’s Rest Inn, Greabo. He was fat, disgusting and extremely prejudiced. Apparently Arathmis thought my work involves sucking up and being sweet with ignorant assholes. He didn’t like that I was upsetting Greabo by coaxing truth from his thoughts. He started yelling at me about how these people were impossible before we’d even left the doorway.

I confronted him not only for yelling at me then and there but trying to tell me how to do what it is I do. He’s certainly not trained in it and suddenly he was leading the mission. Hardly. If anyone was, it’s Arden. He’s done this before and he’s smart. Now I’ll say Arathmis did have the right point, I found out, which was these people are fiercely ignorant. They are; it’s the edge of panic and chaos, but what I was doing was not going to ruin the town and as I also learned, the man had more info I needed.

What I will note of that moment was Arathmis not only yelled at me, but swore at me. He yelled at me to leave and no one said a word. Not a one of them stuck up for me. They apparently agreed with him. I don’t think at any other time I would have felt saddened by this but I was. It upset me greatly no one, especially Arden said anything about it. They just let him tell me off and tell me to go.

So I did. I quickly realized I wasn’t going through all this for me or for Arathmis, or even any of them though. I wanted to know the truth about Brianna. I wanted to help her and I wanted, more precisely, to help Ivan. Against my better judgment, I stuck to it and began asking around town.

People were friendly but that fierce ignorance… That was frightening. Even the slightest doubt gives way to fear and tragedy. I learned of the Elf Shot, those who lose themselves or perhaps their soul. I learned of the Mistled or Wild Walked who vanished for far longer than they thought or even longer. There were children born as changelings, mutant animals, strange haunts…

They had a right to be scared. It is scary. The Inquisition makes them feel strong, but it was too much. They are choking themselves in fear. I learned of many other details though, including that Greabo was one of the main accusers and sure to be a witness. The first event happened at his Inn.

I ran into them before the Blessing and chose to basically smooth things over. I didn’t ignore it, and Kraj tried to make a joke about it to get past it, but I admitted Arathmis was right even if he was a buffoon and a jerk, as I called him, for his behavior. They’d met with Father Wyan and had been made to speak the truth.

Following the Blessing, I had to speak with him. He knew I was a man and questioned my magic and how I hid things. I had to struggle to speak to him the truth but as I’d already said, I thought it the best approach. I think he’s headstrong but he wants to help. However, I didn’t want to tell him about the origin of the tincture or the witches. Arathmis and Krajkah apparently felt Wyan would be fine with all that. I can’t confront Greabo about gossip but that was okay?

Arden was furious but mostly kept it to himself. Poor Esera hadn’t a clue what was going on. Kraj tried to prove the tincture was fine by drinking one. Great. He could have died but Esera checked him over and apparently thought he’d be fine.

I did get the Father to allow both Esera and I to see Lorelai. I guess even though I was a liar, someone who pretends to be a woman at times, and capable of vile magics, he believed I was sincere about helping and finding the facts.

I was sincere and I think I must be crazy for all of this.

Oh, before we did that, we learned the Star of Belinas is one of his symbols that most don’t know about. This was important because for me it showed that what many know to be truth isn’t always factual. I would use this later at the trial.

Lorelai, as it turned out, was crazy. Esera didn’t notice any spirits I guess with her magic but we both noticed how detached Lorelai was. It would have been so easy to manipulate what she believed. It seemed someone else already had. She talked in circles and her own father wouldn’t even look at her…

It was clear she pitied Lorelai and was then furious when Ivan chose her. Vanity and arrogance are ugly things. It was extremely clear to me that as disturbed as Lorelai might have become it was her poor personality that invited this trouble to begin with.

Wyan said we had to be sure if we were to use the tincture on her. We weren’t. We went back to his place to find our captive from the island gone, a bunch of knives decorating the floor and lots of toadstools. We gave chase but lost the bloody path. Note: seems the same thing happened to Wyan’s first wife.

We cleaned everything all up and then I dirtied things with magic. Karston returned and Esera suggested Arathmis check on things that night. Oh yes, I was still fading. I killed a rabbit or something to eat but it was pretty clear I’d need to disguise myself well the next day for the noon day sun.

Arathmis came back but Karston didn’t. He found in Wyan’s book that he wasn’t sure about what was happening, which is why he’d been delaying. When Arathmis tried to go into the temple – where the Inquisitors were praying for the next day service – some sort of alarm went off. He seemed a bit unaccustomed to working with others as he and Karston didn’t have much of a plan about signaling or meeting up but it was an attempt.

Didn’t matter as a chameleon fey named Lhausk showed up who was a friend of a friend (Lord Cedric) of Karston’s. Thankfully he was okay. Lhausk had a gift: magical almond butter that made you see invisible things. He was part of Queen Maeve’s court apparently, which isn’t Melinda’s. So many fey, but apparently Maeve does like musicians. I was warned about that but by whom… Oh that’s right, Karston.

I had been explaining my plan for the trial. I still was going to use it just try and give Arathmis a chance to spot the fey and then dump the tincture on it. Here is my opening and closing reprinted again:

Begin

Truth is different than fact. Truth is based upon what a person believes to be true, not what actually in fact happened. We learned many things from Wyan, but an example is the star. We knew the star to be Lugh’s symbol. From our lips, the star of Lugh was truth. However, it was not factual. Wyan wisely pointed out that the star is the symbol of the light of Belenus even in the darkest of nights. What the people outside of Tepest know to be true, believe to be true, isn’t factual. Truth is different than fact.

Dark forces – fae, goblins, hags, witches – are relying upon fear and their own evils to turn you against one another. This is fact. You’ve all expressed to me the horrors and I’ve seen some firsthand. I’m sorry. The Inquisition is trying to help protect this community and all of Tepest from these dark elements. This is also fact. Lorelai has been hurt; this I do not doubt or deny. She believes that Brianna has bewitched her, but is that fact or merely her belief? We must seek true fact for Dark Forces are at work and none of us wish them to succeed here. That is why we are here. That is why the Inquisition is here. That is why this Trial exists.

End

The Dark forces of Tepestani are seeking your end. Autumn is their season and you can not let them keep it. Summer is the season that the sun rises highest and Belenus’s light is that which seeks not simply belief, but truth. Fact. They manipulate and torment. That is fact. Lorelai has suffered. That is fact. Did Brianna truly sour the milk at the Fisherman’s Rest? This is rumor. Did Brianna yell at Lorelai, her friend of many years, when Lorelai yelled at her at the engagement party? Yes. Friends fight, especially when there is an injured and jealous heart over romance. This if fact as all know it. But did Brianna attack Lorelai? What proof is there? Did she use witchcraft? What proof is there? This is rumor and fearful belief.

There have been accusations but there is doubt. What if one of you were accused in such a way? What if rumor turned to gossip turned to belief and you found yourself targeted? Can you in your heart trust such shadowed sayings amidst fear and worry? Justified as the concerns may be in these times, we must seek truth, the absolute truth for there can not be any doubt.

Will you let the Dark forces succeed by killing someone accused only through belief rather than fact?

…

I was pleased with them. My point was not to undermine the Inquisition, as easy as that would be, but to undermine the distrust of the people and encourage a faith in fact-finding over truth-telling. Someone believing they spoke the truth is just not the same as fact. I figured Wyan would respect that.

Well, I tried to undermine Inquisitior Sionn as best I could. Fynn was annoyed with me, but I don’t care. I wasn’t talking out of turn. I didn’t address the midwife, though Sionn’s logic was flawed from the beginning. She was encouraging a story that Brianna was replaced as a changeling as a small baby but then yet they suggested it was when her parents were killed and that’s why Brianna lived? The poor girl loses her loved ones and is scared forever by it and of course, she’s an evil fey.

I did prove Greabo a foolish old man. I pointed out the poor keeping and the possible age of the milk as well as that Brianna likely didn’t go near them after he’d yelled at her for her poor work. That was aside the point as Arathmis made it clear he saw the fey. It was with Lorelai, as we’d long suspected.

I wasn’t ready for her though. I made my way through the crowd, pointing out issues with the truths people had gossiped about, linking stories and trying to make others feel the pressure of the trial. It was uncomfortable wasn’t it? It should have been. They brought old food and rocks to throw at her. So terribly sad.

I made a distraction finally and Arathmis acted. I was a bit worried I was going to get annihilated by the Inquisition. I was trying to make it clear to Wyan what we were doing. Kraj caught the torch Lorelai threw thankfully and that terrified everyone. Wyan had them all stand down and we got Brianna off the stake before it could become a pyre. All were made to leave and… Well, we won?

I told Brianna I was a man once we were inside. I am trying to be more honest and I didn’t want her to disrobe in front of me and not tell her. I know it was a lot very fast but it seemed the right thing to do.

Wyan had us in to speak with him after. He offered us some succor and certainly Brianna. He’s not sure about pardoning Ivan but offered us training. His history, Lorelai’s even is a sad one with the dead wives and the torment of the fey. The woodcutter became a fisherman became the Father of the Inquisition.

This world is cruel.

Meanwhile, Esera had gone off to help Jocelyn who was going into labor. The others left to bring Brianna to Ivan. I stayed with Esera and Jocelyn, translating and even teaching to keep minds off the pain and trouble, especially with Jocelyn’s husband outside. I just hope there isn’t any fey mischief affecting her or the baby. No changelings, no evil things please.

I do wonder if the baby is born with magical talent if they’d believe that possible without it being evil or fey or both.

Arden had a reason for getting the leaches. We used them and Father Wyan used the magic of Belinas under the sun to remove the curse of the dagger. I don’t have it anymore and I’m not obsessed with its possession. I am overjoyed. I’m still fading but… I hope that will leave soon.

The others did come back just to leave to find shelter and some rest. I hope that Greabo isn’t too angry and allows them a nice room at the Inn. He probably wouldn’t want me there, but I’m going to try and not hold it against him. Maybe he learned something, but probably not.

I’m trying to write these few notes while helping Esera. I’ll guess I’ll finish by summing up:

Brianna – presumably innocent and remarkably not as angry as I thought she’d be. I guess she’s just happy not to die. Imagine that.

Lorelai – crazy, was possessed, hopefully Wyan will let Esera help her

Wyan – means well, upset and weary. I feel bad for him.

Fynn – too militant and I don’t trust his zealous behavior; Wyan doesn’t like his lack of perception

Arden – Behaves strangely sometimes but has his reasons. He’d be the hardest for me to figure out if something was wrong with him though I guess that’s when he shuts down. He’s smart, dedicated, honorable and noble but he also seems judgmental and dismissive of what doesn’t help him.

Esera – willing to learn, innocent and easily confused, frustration makes her angry. She’s avoidant but yet condescending of what she doesn’t like others doing. She’s a healer and wants to help but clearly doesn’t understand how dangerous things are. I can trust her to do what she believes is right but I won’t usually agree with her lack of action.

Krajkah – Tough and willing to fight but the magic thing… It’s getting where it’s not funny. You can’t practice what you look down your nose at. I would have thought he’d speak up for me with Arathmis, but he didn’t. I don’t think he cares that much other than his well being and profit.

Arathmis – We’ve seen he’s a sneak thief and capable of shadowed magic when wielding his swords. He’s from the Necropolis and was living here as a normal person until Ivan needed help. Either he’s hiding from something he did or he’s just hiding. It may be easy to pretend you’re a nothing, but I find it suspicious considering I know the life of disguise. Also, controlling and condescending.

= end =

---

I don’t know what’s happening.

As if last night wasn’t bad enough with the screams and the blood, tonight is worse. I thought finally, here we go. But no.

The flames turned blue but they tried. I guess they took too long because some little bee came out and became a wasp creature. What the hell is that? I hate bees and that’s way bigger. Fuck this shit, I wish I could leave.

The one with the loud stick was lost in the creepy shadows. I’m not going in there. Then the Wasp man opened its mouth full of needles and blades and shot bees out of its mouth! I was terrified, but I guess not as much as the one who owns this house. He dropped his knives and went running.

No, please take me!

Poor short man though. He tried to face off with the thing but it kept biting him. I don’t think he could see. He went running off, bumping into things and then falling down. Please, take me with you. I don’t want to be here anymore.

The one with the gun high tailed it, but I had a slight glimmer of hope. Short man started talking with the bee man and then this rat thing with a tiny person head showed up. Short man made a deal about the loud stick one I guess. The other one came back and the rat thing made the plants attack him.

I will never eat grass again.

They went inside and when they came out the rat thing went into short man’s backpack. No, please take me! Don’t leave me. Oh no! House owner, you have a bee on you! It’s going to sting you or shoot bees out of its mouth!

Why are you leaving me? Please get help! Please don’t leave me here again!

I still don’t even know if this place is real. How long was in the forest ruin? Was I even ever behind that theatre? At least the dogs aren’t barking all the time anymore.

I hope my sister is safe.

---

This Inn smells but at least it’s not raining on me. Short man left me here. I wonder if he’s coming back. I can hear bells. I wonder what that means.

Oh maybe these robed men will ride me out of here. Where is my short master? There are things attacking him? We must ride!

I hope my brother is safe. Probably not. He’s got terrible luck.

…

“Please… kill me…” it moaned, blood gurgling from its parched lips.

“No,” one laughed, cackling as it stroked his forehead.

“We would never,” another grinned. “You wished to serve us. You serve us dinner.”

The last clapped before peeling off the goblin’s lower lip even as it began to regrow. She slipped it between her gnarled, claw-like fingers and into the warty lips of her own mouth.

“Why do you think we left you with one arm?” the Hags cackled together.

~ End Act 2 ~

---

A loud yawn echoed throughout the room. “Dear, could you help me?” the man asked.

“Of course,” came a sweet feminine voice from the darkness. She appeared in the lantern light and put a hand to his back.

He set the peakcock quill back into the inkwell as he stood with her assistance. Hands rose to the ceiling as he stretched. “It’s my best work so far.”

“I can’t wait to read it.”

A wide smile spread his lips before he leaned in and kissed her cheek, “You’ll do more than read it, my dear Jeanne.”

“Who?” she asked quizzically.

“Nevermind.”

751. May 9th, cont.
We convened in Wyan’s parlor. Lorelei was sedated elsewhere. Wyan looked tired and showed his age more than ever before.

He told us his story. He lost both of his wives in tragic events seemingly related to the fey. When he was young, his first wife was found dead in the forest. His second wife, Lorelei’s mother, died giving birth to a monster. He believes he has killed a creature that whispers about his wife many times. It’s hard to know what is real.

We talked to him for a while about several things, trials, magic, Rima, handling the aftermath of the trial. It seems like we took care of all the important loose ends, making sure the innocent would remain so, making sure things would be safe for us.

We then discussed the dagger and its curse. Wyan agreed to help us remove it. We tried castings of Remove Curse as well as using the magic draining leeches. All was done in the sunlight. Hopefully this will be enough, but for now nothing seems different. That is, except that I now bear the burden of carrying the dagger.

At Joslyn’s house, things are going well. Midwifing is not my area of expertise, but it seemed Esera can take care of things. Arathmis, Krajkah, and I decided to go to Ivan’s with Bryonna.

Ivan and Bryonna were very happy to see each other. I only wish that some day we will have such a reunion, Jeanne.

I got an idea to bury the dagger within the standing stones while we left, but decided to keep it on me at the time.

Back in Viktol, we found ourselves without a place to stay. Krajkah tried hammering on the door of the inn to no response. None of us wanted to stay at Arathmis’s house, Joslyn’s house was too small, and waking the inquisition for a place to stay seemed unwise. So we went for a tent. Yes, perhaps the most dangerous decision made in days was to fetch a tent from a wagon.

When we were close, the flame on my torch turned blue. We approached cautiously and suddenly I was surrounded by dark mists with figures within, the spell Haunting Mists. We agreed running was the best option. At least, I think we did. So I ran, using expeditious retreat.

Things did not go as smoothly for Arathmis or Krajkah. Arathmis was affected by fear magic and Krajkah simply isn’t able to run away quickly, certainly not from flying fey. We were attacked by a waspman and a ratman, both some kind of fey.

While I ran to the temple to fetch the inquisition, Arathmis and Krajkah fought and ultimately lost. They made a bargain with the fey. They could live if they brought them to the dagger, meaning to me.

751. May 8th, cont.
Final entry of the night. Arathmis came back from his mission. He didn’t find out much, but he did trigger an alarm. He also didn’t bring back Karsten.

But while talking, I spotted a chameleon in the house. It turned into a little moth-winged fey. He wasn’t well equipped to communicate, but eventually he spoke right into Krajkah’s ear and then into Arathmis’s ear.

He explained a lot about the Arak and even related everything to our current situation. Karsten asked Lord Sedrek to find somebody to help us and this fey, Laosk, was authorized by his queen, Mave, to help us. Laosk is a member of the lawkeepers, advisers, and hodgepodgers of the Arak. Mave wants us to succeed. She and seemingly all these Arak are involved in a game with mortals as the pieces. Her brother, Laot, the Prince of Shadows, is winning.

But Laosk gave us a trump card, an almond with the nectar of moonlight. With it, one of us can see spirits.

We also asked Laosk about the Melinda’s dagger. He says we should get rid of it, that you only fade if you carry the dagger. The only safe way is for multiple people to share the burden. Lily doesn’t want to share though, irrational as that may be. The other pieces of the regalia are an amulet, boots, cloak, crown, dagger, gloves, scepter, and signet ring. This seems oddly like a description of things we had in our possession at the time, but maybe Laosk was telling the truth. He also said the jade amulet I wear is part of a set and that more pieces are needed. I merely find it a curiosity and link to where we came from. More investigation is needed.

751. May 9th
The sun is bright. Weather is clear.

We decided Arathmis should use the nectar and I gave him the tincture as well. When we arrived at the trial, many were already in attendance. The inquisition led us to the front and flanked us with members from their rank. Their trust in us had not increased.

Shoun called several witnesses with his time. They recanted nothing substantial, but I’m used to that in official proceedings. In this case, the lies are fueled by superstition and paranoia. In Dementlieu, they are fueled by court politics and a lust for power and privilege. Both lead to injustice.

Then we had our time and left it all to Lily. She spent a good deal of time discrediting the witnesses. But eventually it came time for Lorelei’s testimony. She was afforded special privileges but it wasn’t enough for Arathmis to not notice that she was possessed. After a time, Lily moved to the pyre and said she would free Bryonna. Things moved quickly from there.

Arathmis went invisible and reappeared behind Lorelei, covering her with the tincture. From her body came a small black fey creature. We attacked it and ultimately destroyed it. For a time, it seemed the battle would continue with how angry Finn and others were, but thankfully it stopped.

Wyan ordered everybody out and brought Lorelei into his house. Joselyn began going into labor so Esera went to help her. Eventually they go to her house for the birthing. We freed Bryonna, said hello to Karsten, and I snatched some of Bryonna’s discarded leeches and the dead spirit’s leaves.

(2012-09-27)

This girl is being treated absolutely horribly. I can’t believe for a moment that this society could ever think of itself as civilized. Someone needs to teach them the definition of that word, along with a few other languages. Or maybe I should learn. This girl has no spirits about her. She didn’t do anything wrong. It is such a strange feeling to be able to use my magic around these guards. This was the one thing I never thought I would be doing in this country, and yet here we are. I wish I could understand the conversation. I wish I could understand any of what is going on.
The rest of the group seems to think she’s innocent. But, we have no proof. Now what do we do? Apparently the next step is to speak to Lorelai. First, we should find Lily I guess. I wonder what (s)he has been up to. I guess she’s been trying to gather information around the town. Wait, (s)he’s apologizing? What is going on here? I must have missed something again. That’s really the only explanation. We’re going to their daily sermon? I’m not even going to be able to understand what is going on. I’ve seen so many horrible things recently, and nothing is more maddening than being trapped in my own mind. At least what goes on inside makes some sense to me. Dinner at Wyan’s house should be better than the trail rations at least.

This house and the temple are so foreboding. I don’t like it here. I avoided this kind of fanaticism for a good reason. These poor people are so lost in their own homes. I guess I can just drift off while we eat. Wyan is probably going to look at Lily the same way he looked at the rest of us. He’s so indignant and self righteous. At the same time, he’s a hypocrite. How does he live with himself? At least he seems to understand we aren’t bad people. Wait, why is (s)he revealing himself? What’s going on. I dare not say anything. I don’t want him to think I am using some “crazy” magic that he doesn’t understand. Hang on, why are the tinctures out? Whose idea was this? There has to be a good reason. Just stay calm. Smile. Be inconspicuous. And now there is arguing? Why? Who started this? And… Kraj just drank one. This could go really badly. He could get seriously ill. I can’t let that happen. It’s fine. I am prepared for this. Fortunately no one can really tell what I am doing either. Alright, he seems unaffected. But WHY DID HE DO THAT?

Wyan’s disposition changed. He seems a lot more calm. I guess Lily will be permitted to speak with Lorelai now. I’m glad they’re letting me in. If this girl is being influenced by a spirit, I will know it immediately. Wait, there is nothing here. She is clearly disturbed, but I can’t find any evidence of a spirit in here. And Wyan, he refuses to look at her. Why doesn’t he scrutinize her like he does everyone else? That is some wretched bias to have when someone’s life is on the line. What a sad excuse for a man. I really wish I could speak. There is nothing to learn here, but this interrogation is taking forever. I’m starting to lose focus.

We’re completely empty handed. Nothing to work with at the trial tomorrow. Not like I could do anything anyway. There’s something wrong at Arathmis’ house. Something terrible has happened! I can try to shield us from it at least. Eldrak is gone. There is blood everywhere. I knew someone should have stayed with him. All of the sharp things are stuck in the floor. Some kind of ritual was performed here. Wait, I think he’s still alive! He went into the woods. Maybe I can follow him. The rain is starting to cover his trail… I lost it. For once I can be useful and I lose it. Who could have done this? Where did he go? He knows everything. At least he is still incoherent. His focus is still on the lake witch.

Now we really have nothing. I bet he could have helped us. Now I can’t help him and he’s gone. Things feel so desperate. I feel like at this point we should break her out and never come back to this place until we are stronger. There are so many misguided people here. Someday I will help show them some truth.

Original
Lily: “Can I speak honestly?”
Wyan: “You are forbidden to do otherwise.”

Actual
751. May 8th [written before noon service] (cont.)
Esera used her magic to prepare us for the interview with Bryonna, just in case she was actually a witch, or possessed. She wasn’t. Things were as clear as I can imagine that she is merely an unfortunate victim in all this. If she was possessed by some kind of spirit, there is no indication now. You can see signs of the attack on her family but it looks like a physical attack only.

Inquisitors made it worse by putting “witch bane” leeches on her face that they say drain her magic. Her room is filthy and smells awful. She’s chained to the wall, unable to even sit or lie down. They feed her only enough to keep her alive for the trial. Disgusting.

The only glimmer of hope was on her face when Arathmis showed her a letter, which I assume was from Ivan. We gave her a bit of food and water, and Esera could detect nothing suspicious with her magic.

The only potential lead we got out of our conversation is that Ivan took both her and Lorelei on walks in the southern woods, something forbidden by the Tepestani.

As we left, Krajkah asked an inquisitor about the star of Loug in the church. He said it’s a symbol of Belanus. I asked about this again at the noonday service and a Tepestani repeated it.

We found Lily while walking around town. Surprisingly, she admitted that Arathmis was right. We relayed to her everything we found out and she told us she talked to the townsfolk. She seems concerned that if we question the inquisition too much, the townspeople will panic. Useful knowledge, even though the rest of the group seems hesitant to use it.

Lily also mentioned Lorelei had her first fit at the inn when Ivan and Bryonna had their engagement party. But Bryonna was not immediately arrested. That wasn’t until three days later. Greabo was at both events. Don’t know if that’s relevant.

We discussed a lot about what we know and how to handle the situation but I am getting a little frustrated. The noon service is about to begin.

751. May 8th, cont. [written after the noon service]
That went far worse than anticipated. I now feel I should have handled this entire investigation by myself, or at least convinced the others to keep their mouths shut and hands to themselves.

After the service, we met up with Wyan and Finn. Finn said we are wasting our time. I now agree with him. Wyan invited us all to have lunch at his house. Lunch began with Finn being belligerent with us, especially when Krajkah stupidly questioned their religion. But eventually Finn left and it was only us, Wyan, and some inquisitors outside the room.

Wyan’s primary concern was with Lily. He said she is exactly the type of person the inquisition hunts. He then accomplished what the rest of us could not. He convinced her to reveal her true form and name. She is a male, Ablion Matis, from Kartakass. She reiterated that she disguises herself for safety, though since we’ve met, all her personas have been in equal danger.

And then it all fell apart. I tried to hint to Wyan that if Lorelei is tainted by spirits, we can solve the situation quietly instead of having to involve the inquisition. But Krajkah interjected and mentioned the tinctures. Things only got worse from there, with Krajkah and Arathmis revealing nearly everything, in the worst possible way, at the worst possible time. Wyan threatened to take the tinctures from us and summoned his guards.

Krajkah then drank one. I still can’t believe it. After all we went through. It is nothing to Krajkah. And he thinks he saved us. I put a gun to his head and so help me, if Wyan hadn’t compelled me to stop, I might have shot him.

I have the last tincture now. I am the only one that can be trusted with it.

I can barely write about this. Wyan said we should act with unity. His role in the inquisition must be that of common sense advisor.

Lily and Esera went to talk with Lorelei. I went outside. Esera couldn’t understand the conversation, but she said Lorelei was evasive. Also, her mind may be unwell, as she was scattered and easily manipulated by Lily. If that’s the case, who knows how much of what she said was true.

As we left, ravens were perched near the execution site, as if they knew a meal was coming. Sickening.

The others continued to discuss the situation, but I kept quiet. They ruined any chance at handling the investigation and trial in a civil manner.

Then we found the scene at Arathmis’s house. The door was open, its frame covered in bloody smears. Faerie toadstools littered the ground in front. Inside, Eldrak was gone. The area where he was held was covered with blood, urine, and vomit. His bindings and my manacles were on the ground. The area was surrounded by every sharp thing nearby embedded into the wood.

My things were ok, and in my state of mind at the time, I didn’t know the best way to handle the situation. We tracked Eldrak, who appeared to have left alive and guided by some small creature. We couldn’t follow the trail after it went through a nearby river.

We went back and cleaned up the mess so the inquisition wouldn’t make things worse for us. As if that mattered. Lily asked if I thought “we” should tell the inquisition and I said no. “We” shouldn’t do anything. Either me or I’ll have no part in it.

Karsten showed up. He surprisingly seemed eager to help out. Esera suggested somebody should break into Wyan’s house to find evidence and Arathmis and Karsten agreed to go together.

Jeanne, this may be the last entry I write. I may not be able to save you, but there’s still a chance I can save Bryonna. It will take drastic measures and I can’t directly involve any of my friends. Wyan’s truth sight has made this mess incredibly complicated. But if the Tepestani want a spirit, I’ll give them a spirit they’ll never forget.

751. May 7th (cont.)
We were almost back to the ruins when a dark cloud came at us from the Tanglewood. Thankfully, we spotted it with enough time to hide in the woods to the south. The cloud was the swarm of birds from the hag tree. It made a pass over the south woods before returning north.

Ivan was fine when we arrived. Before sleeping, we discussed some of our options and also investigated the tinctures. They are indeed magic, transmutation, though we don’t know their exact effects.

751. May 8th [written before noon service]
One day until the trial. Lily is still blurry as expected. We discuss our plans for the day. Despite repeating things we heard from Rima, I was unable to get the group to figure out what’s happening. What is the artifact being sought? Who is controlling the spirit? These are important questions, but it seems my friends are more concerned with Ivan and other ideas that get us nowhere. What’s the point in getting a divination if we ignore it?

Before leaving, I used Krajkah’s sword to send you a note, Jeanne. I’m guessing the room where we appeared is the closest I will get to you for a while and it’s possible I will not have another chance to pass you a message. If you ever find yourself in Tepest, I hope my note brings you some comfort.

We set out for Viktol as fast as we could. At Arathmis’s house, we found Eldrak bound by Karsten. He tried to escape. Karsten seems glad to stop helping us. Can’t blame him. He seems genuine though so I’m not concerned that he has anything to do with the spirit.

The group feels the last person executed could be important. Her name is Nessa and was accused of taking a young form at night and glowing in the moonlight. In the day she appeared normal. Wild stories but not surprising for Tepest.

Karsten also tells us that a fire spirit harasses the villages of Tepest after any person is burned at the stake. This could mean that actual fey are being executed and the fire spirit is angry. But there are other possibilities. The grounds of the execution or the inquisition itself could be tied to the fey, crazy at that may sound. This is the first we’ve heard of the fire spirit as the inquisition covers up much of what it does to protect Tepest. But Karsten knows, which is a bit puzzling.

Lily put Magic Auras on the tinctures before we set off for the village proper while I left my bag behind. Unfortunately, this is where it all went sour, proving our planning discussions were for naught.

As Arathmis stabled the horses, we were approached by six members of the inquisition. They were predictably hostile and didn’t trust us. They still don’t. But we were able to continue investigating. Most of the inquisition are simply townsfolk and exhibit the same overzealous paranoia that the rest do.

Inside the inn, we talked to Greabo. He was devouring some fish and said he’d give us our deposits after checking on the horses. He knows we are advocates and no longer trusts us. He wouldn’t let us talk to Joselyn during work hours and wouldn’t accept my offer for us to help, for free. Lily then tried to convince him of the error of his ways, something akin to teaching a fish how to walk.

Outside, Arathmis argued with her. He was right. We aren’t in Tepest to change things. We are still here to save a girl’s life. Doing otherwise is a waste of time. But Lily once again resorted to calling people names and left us. We are better off without her.

It was a short walk to the inquisition. The compound was dark and oppressing, with Nessa’s remains in plain view. But inside the church, we were able to secure an audience with Wyan. The inquisitors outside wanted to “bless” us by branding our foreheads. We refused.

Perhaps the most interesting find of the day rests in that church. The church holds many symbols and altars to the gods of Tepest. But curiously, the symbol of Lugh is prominently displayed. Lugh is revered by the fey and is the god of arcane magic. We haven’t had a chance to question an inquisitor about this yet, but could this possibly be the artifact that somebody is seeking? The church has been around for at least as far back as the ax lords. I wonder how long this relic was there.

We met Wyan. He is a commanding individual. It’s hard to look him in the eyes while you speak to him. And he can see through all your lies, seemingly. We were forced to tell him we were mistled and that we were magic users. But he seems more understanding than the other inquisitors and seems to want the truth. He agreed to allow one of us to speak to Lorelei, who is still unwell, in the presence of him and one of his inquisitors. That will happen after the service. He also permitted us to speak to Bryonna, who is jailed awaiting trial. He said we must protect ourselves so that we don’t get bewitched.

I failed them.

I was supposed to know better. In fact, I did.

I let… What? Compassion? I let it blind me from the truth. I felt bad for Arathmis and the others, who clearly didn’t want to hurt the women or the children.

It almost got us killed.

I knew better. You don’t break a deal, no matter what. We’re lucky, beyond lucky.

I would have agree to the love; I’ve done so for far less than saving my life. I’m glad the riddle proved so useful. I didn’t exactly expect that. I figured it would help, but that much?

We owe Rima more than a thank you. I may have made the riddle and spoke it, but it’s she who suggested it.

Thankfully Arathmis is smoothe of touch. He stole two of the potions, which I’m hoping we can merely toss on our target. Who that target is, I’m not so sure. I don’t trust the obvious and that has saved me more than once.

I didn’t quite expect myself to be so eager to protect Esera’s innocence either. It’s annoyed beyond measure and the paranoid behavior – as terrible as I suffered that – has been odd too. But no one deserves to suffer the foul hand of the hags. I willingly submitted to their influence, hoping to manipulate them because who knows what they would have manipulated Esera – or forced her – into.

It took all I had to play words with them. They tossed Kraj aside but I’ve seen him in action; I know he can toss around a few words and play cool. Esera was far calmer than even I expected. Whatever light she draws upon is clearly powerful. Even Arden summoned a useful illusion, but his gun is what continues to impress me. The Dimentlese nobles are good shots and his is even better, beyond what I’d ever expect.

I’m glad we made it to the Hags, skulks and trolls and all, but I’m worried things are only going to get worse. Those Hags are powerful; I can’t help but respect their capabilities even if I loathe their behavior.

But I would have brought back one of those female goblins if I’d had the power, if only to save the others the horror.

And y’know, I would have offered myself up for the ring-adorned meal.

What’s wrong with me now?

It’s been a couple of days since logging my actions and so much has happened. We spoke with the Vestani who sent us to an island to return a ghost to its body. I didn’t originally understand how this would help, but we had nothing else to go on. The island was strange to say the least. There was a creature that was trapped there and I believe was going to try and trap us there. Luckily we found another lead while we were there. Terrapopalo. Apparently this is some sort of evil spirit that sent these men to their doom on the island. I believe it is possesing one of the women in Viktal. The question is which one.

To find out more we headed back to Rima. The trial is in 5 days and we are spending a lot of time travelling. That Vestani women is very confusing and never gives a straight answer. She told us about some sort of potion that will reveal the evil spirit. Where is the place to get it? Some hags in the middle of the forest.

Luckily they were some what on the way back to Viktal which is the way we needed to travel. I was not ready completely for what was in store for us. After heading in to the woods Rima told us about we were flanked by some mysterious attackers. They moved quick, but not quick enough to best me. The strangeness of this place only grew as we came out near a river where we fought again. Not only did we fight, but we fought alongside goblins. I must say entering a fight with Kraj was amazing. He could distract them with his brute force up front which allowed me to strike their vitals from behind.

After that fight we finally made it to the hags. I have not been fearful many times in my life however this was one of those times. I could tell that if they wanted to dispose of us right there they could have. They made a deal with us that we were to go through a portal and retrieve a stolen ring for them as well as bring them back a goblin captive and they would give us one of these potions. There were other options to trade, but we will not speak of those.

Entering through the portal we found a cave that we followed for a while and finally found the goblinish thing that took the ring. He was quickly put to rest and the ring was in our possesion. Our problem came with bringing them back a hostage that they would eat. The only other goblins we found were women and children. They were helpless. I could not bring myself to attack them unprovoked. The hags didn’t like this. They threatened to eat us. Lily saved us. She told them a riddle and they almost became dazed thinking about it. Impulsively I stole two of the potions and made my way out the door as quickly as I could.

I’m hoping that all our efforts are not in vain and these things actually work. After this I will not stay in Tepest. I do not want to risk these hags coming after me. I saw what they did to the goblin that stole from them. He was not normal. this is still not an easy road we have ahead of us.