Category: RPG

2nd day, 3rd ride, March, 1372 DR

Beautiful weather; overcast, rainy, with a low rumble in the distance. We headed east after having travled mostly north since we left Daggerfalls. I was so curiously content while hiking that I failed to notice the worstening moods of my companions.

After having a thirty minute break to eat something and allow their weary bodies some respite, we continued on along the treacherously slick patch. Mud-covered rocks and moss-covered branches proved to be most upsetting. Roland seemed to take an active interest in the woodlands, mostly having to do with finding and collecting edible plants and herbs.

After about two hours we found a small cave set in the side of a small hill. Upon carefully inspecting the entrance to the cave I was completely surprised to see Roland sneak up, grab a pebbel, cast an enchantment of illumination on it before hurling the pebble inside with the greatest nonchalance!

The now illuminated cave showed a large sleeping bear. We decided to leave the cave and let sleeping bears lie. Later that afternoon we found a large, fallen tree, which proved to be sufficient shelter.

We started a fire and Abel provided Roland with enough rabbits to keep us fed until it was time for us to leave the next morning. The both of them are quickly adapting to outdoor life, which is a relief. They keep their clothes dry and their bellies full, which are steps one and two in the wilderness survival tradition.

Roland took first watch and when he takes first watch, or any watch for that matter, I normally get a little nervous, but since his performance has been alright lately, I have him the benefit of the doubt. Roughly half a day until dawn and he was supposed to take no more than three hours on his watch. After five hours, I woke up as he approached to wake Abel. I told him not to bother because Abel had been having a hard time, so I decided to take second watch, giving him some continuous sleep. I woke him about two hours before dawn.

1st day, 3rd ride, March, 1372 DR

Next day we found the base of the dead Zhents, a wooden platform, built in a large tree – a landing platform, perhaps? – in which we found clothes, some tools, and some papers. The papers showed the schematic for the construction of the “tree-house” and a map of where in the Borderforest they were or would soon be constructed.

After a lengthy discussion about whether or not we should take our already very valuable information back to Daggerfalls, or if we should push forward to find out more about the troop strength at the Flaming Tower, we decided that Thorim would go back, since he would have the most chance of finding his way back unharmed by himself.

5th day, 2nd ride, March, 1372 DR

We returned from Marron’s home. We had found nothing pointing to his involvement in the death of the two dwarves, though I suspect this man is guilty of many, many things.

While we were watching his home in the woods, we had a rotating watch. Naturally, Roland fell asleep during his watch and woke up only when my foot repeatedly connected with his ribcage. I took his blanket as punishment. I think I’ll use it to warm myself with the coming few days, so that my stink is in it. Then I’ll give it back to him. With a bit of luck, he doesn’t want it anymore, and he’ll let me have it instead.

4th day, 2nd ride, March, 1372 DR

Last night Roland turned down a woman who would’ve given herself up to him completely. He seems capable of more restraint than I gave him credit for. Then, when the lady was disappointed, Abel stepped in and finished what Roland started. It seems he, too, is capable of more than I gave him credit for. Is he sure he didn’t sleep with the Cormyrian nobleman’s wife?

I had a strange dream last night. I was on the open plains of Damara, following a lightning storm that I couldn’t seem to reach. Am I losing touch with Abaddon? Is he out of my reach? Or is Heron the storm in my dream? Elusive and always one step ahead. I don’t I woke up perturbed.

We headed down the Tethyamar trail to find Marron. I was pleased to see the weather had turned sour, and the smell of thunder was in the air…

3rd day, 2nd ride, March, 1372 DR

We spent the morning talking to Duran, an elder of the Brightblade clan, living in Daggerfalls, considered the nominal leader of the dwarven community in Daggerfalls. He told us about the decades, if not centuries old fued between the Brightblade clan and the Morn family, which has been put to rest by the efforts of Randall Morn. He also told us about Marron, a hermit living to the south-east of Daggerfalls, who is known to organise prize fights amongst animals, and is known to have trained dogs and perhaps wolves. We decided that the attack on the dwarves might have been in order to create dissent between the humans and dwarves.

The funny thing about food is that if you’ve grown up with enough of it around, you don’t appreciate it later in life. When you’ve grown up in a war and famine torn country, with the dead and the worst deamons imaginable standing at the command of your enemy’s general, you eat whenever you can, and you leave no plate unfinished, even when you’re long since content or even full, you cannot pass on an opportunity of food. The same goes for sleep. When you’re a soldier you get your sleep when you can, and you learn to sleep, nap, snooze and doze anywhere. I can see the puzzled and curious looks on the faces of my companions, which betrays their lack of experience.