Quest Logs: Difference between revisions

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= Logs =
= Logs =
== June ==
=== 1 ===
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
We've done it! I don't want to put specifics in a public log but we've done it! Let's just say that my own maker might yet in some beatific aim craft kings. Here's hoping their life work can continue, and my goals might be furthered as well. Hopefully soon my nanny talents will ride again!!
}}
== May ==
== May ==
=== 25 ===
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
We met Avallach’s girlfriend! I didn’t get a good look at her, but I’m sure she’s a great beauty, cannibalism notwithstanding. It feels like we left something unresolved, but I suppose that’s how long-term relationships work! I really do hope we get to meet again, I'm sure she will become a regular fixture in the Ruby Counsel.
We also ran into Xan, my father of sorts. He was a bit different than I expected. Well, I’m not sure what I expected, really. He was just so obviously... normal. Fleshy, impatient, avaricious. He of all people should understand the plight of the created, but he didn’t even seem to know - or care - how important my memory module is to my existence. Maybe he knows something I don’t. But I can’t help but feel nervous when he reaches his spindly fingers towards my soul. Also, I should really work on uninstalling some of those command sequences...
}}
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
What would you do if you were always invisible? Just something I have been pondering lately. Something else that has been on my mind, what does it mean to be alive or even conscious. I think I have been hanging around too many constructs lately.
So I went to go visit this admirer of mine. I brought the crew for backup of course. Even I can recognize that this sounds too good to be true. Well we found her, barely. It seems she is always invisible. Unfortunately, she has no memories, so we don't know much about her past, or even her name. So I assigned her a new name, Demi, after some fabled creatures who also have the power of invisibility. We also don't know much about the nearby piles of armor and equipment from mercenaries that seem to have hunted her. Some of the notes suggested that Demi worked for the same organization, but defected. They failed so hard at this task that we cannot even find their bodies. Demi did creepily mention that "their bodies didn't go to waste".
[[Nanny 02]] also tried to talk to his maker Xan, an even more pompous ass than myself. He had some business with the Guildmasters Faction. Installing a construct secretary of sorts. It slides around on the room on rails. [[Ignar Gnomez]] managed to name it Ruby.
}}
=== 18 ===
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
Sometimes even an elf has to swallow their pride. I squashed my beef with [[Doctor 54]], hopefully. In a bit of uncontrolled emotion (very uncharacteristic of me) I may have "rubbed salt in a wound" as the humans like to say. Most of the credit goes to [[Legend 03]] who is a pretty good mediator. If Sunholm ever has need of impartial judges, Legend should be at the top of that list. Maybe going forward Doctor will start to realize the Ruby Council is not as weak as he thinks.
By the way, not only is [[Nanny 02]] a good caretaker for children, he is an excellent bouncer. I hear he is available for night shifts.
In other news, I have an Admirer sneaking around Sunholm. Going as far as using invisibility to carefully deliver notes to me. Part of me suspects foul play, a trap perhaps. But it's more likely that someone finally understands my true value.
}}
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
Today was mostly chores and relationship mending with [[Avallac'h]], who is highly proficient at making adversaries. Although, I was also able to commune with a spirit who I believe may have had a hand in my creation. I hunger to know more. But, more and more I find myself failing to fulfill my primary function. Is this adventuring life truly the best way to care for my charges? There are certainly more than when I started...
}}
=== 4 ===
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
[[Ignar Gnomez]], [[Jimmy "the Rat" Fingles]], and I walked straight into a goblin camp, no fear, and defeated a giant mutant goblin. This was a very dangerous camp, with wise hobgoblins who have mastered the art of magic. But they were no match for us, for we are "Death Squad" Inc. An elite group of adventurers, experienced at hunting the mightiest of creatures. Led by one of the most noblest of races. If you need a monster removed, you know who to look for.
}}
== April ==
=== 27 ===
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
Sigh … Nobles.
A spoiled brat, Drosafela I think, found herself kidnapped by a rival family, bla bla bla, drama. The "workshop" she was imprisoned in was interesting however. It was filled with all sorts of animated constructs. These magical constructs posed a bit of a challenge as some of them were resistant to my magic.
At least we got paid. Though it took some negotiating. I guess you don't become rich by being generous.
}}
=== 20 ===
{{playerlog|Kizmet|
Many years ago I encountered a growth of Vecna's Tongue. The unspeakably rare and giant flower sat, fat and glorious in the swelter of a roaring summer day. Its petals drooped, richly coated with a thick syrup. And as I watched, a small robin flew by and was attracted to the shine of the liquid. It soared around and around, cheerfully bobbing in the joy of its existence as it contemplated the Vecna's Tongue. Before I could intercede, it descended to taste the flower's syrup. Perhaps it had strayed too far from home and knew not of the danger. Perhaps the flower was simply too rare for its ancestors to have learned. A short and barely audible moment of violence, and blood and viscera were all that remained of the young bird. Snuffed out by its naïvete, its youthful arrogance.
I have lived all my 420 years thinking of that poor child, lost to infinite darkness by a moment of foolish greed. And here I am, diving towards the syrup of Vecna, racing towards death in my lust for life, having learned nothing.
Those catacombs said to hold the fountain of youth were packed with death and deception. Undead stalked those marble halls, as if to mock us in our mortality. Their empty skulls and rictus grins rattled with a silent laughter. And at the end, as we stood over the heap of twitching, hateful flesh and bone, there sat our prize, the key to immortality. I drank from its waters, and for just a moment felt the wings of my youth lift my step. Greed, hope, fear all burned in my heart as I threw myself to the floor of that cavern and drank and drank and drank and drank... and left changed. No longer younger, but turned even more frail and weak, my eyes ever closer to closing. Despair consumed me and my heart sank through the Nine Hells themselves. Moz's flat, clinical explanation of the toxin that affected me so stirred nothing in me. I was empty. I am empty. The great beyond stares blankly into me, and I into it. My destiny.
Firbolgs normally worship the earth, the sea, the sky, and the life which holds domain over them. I have never before prayed to a god. I have never needed to be heard before. But tonight I will pray, to the old gods and the new. What beings hold court in Sunholm, I wonder?}}
{{playerlog|Nala Ushiriel|
Peace be with you Mother Ushiriel,
I apologize for the delay in my next report - these lands have proven to be difficult to observe without interference. Though perhaps I have simply joined a faction that acts at odds to my quest. Either way, the journey has still been fascinating to unfold despite the several close embraces with the Queen.
Recently, we were able to welcome some long overdue undead into the folds of the Queen in a place that proclaimed itself "The Fountain of Youth". It was an interesting study of both the engravings on the walls of wanderers long since past and of my companions. The elderly, in particular, seemed most intrigued by the prospect of everlasting life as if they could escape the Queen's embrace when it called to them. Alas, I could not see their reaction at the end of the journey myself - I had lost too much blood and needed to deal with two mummy rot curses before I turned to dust and all of my research was lost. However, the elderly firbolg has been behaving differently upon his return, so I will need to perform a thorough interview of his experience at the fountain and will report back.
Attached to the back of this update are several pages of my findings over these past few weeks and a couple of paintings with footnotes. The painting of the genasi being attacked by beasts also contains a full report on the back of the mishaps that ensued - food offerings continue to elude success, but perhaps larger offerings are required in this land.
I will continue to report my findings for as long as the Raven Queen wills it.
May the Queen's mercy be swift,
Nala Ushiriel
}}
=== 13 ===
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
Yetis you say! No problem. You just need to bring an elf with you to come up with the winning strategy. The Ruby Council has successfully retrieved the bark from a Vethis tree. Hopefully [[Brem Nomar]] can make a new potion with it.
... Also I think the Ruby council might also have a new member. Either that or a new pet. I can't decide how sentient a Yeti really is.
}}
{{playerlog|Kizmet|
What a trial! Once again we faced the mighty Yetis. The vicious fangs and deadly gaze of those dread beasts echo in my mind even now. Exhilaration, disorientation, terror all mingle and meet inside my poor old heart. For nights to come I'll sleep under many layers, thinking of their frigid breath.
Of course, I have naught but pity for the poor child who we orphaned through our violent actions. Its every need will be provided for, or I'm not a Kizmet.
Perhaps we could have reasoned with them? But death is indeed the way of life, and we should not mourn. A natural, inevitable process for all such creatures...
}}
=== 6 ===
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
I'm starting to suspect that several of Sunholm's citizens don't like us very much. I think we just added [[Ember Egan]] to that list as well. I'm think they will still sell us magical items, but I don't think they will hire us for any more quests.
Jimmy and I took the new recruits out for a simple task, protect Ember. Things started out good when I created a magical dome to protect us from the outside world. Unfortunately it wasn't big enough, and we let too many large creatures gather around it. When the dome disappeared, the monsters surrounded Ember, who promptly evacuated the scene, along with any chance for us getting paid. Hmmm, maybe I should look into other ways of creating some protective barriers.
Also, I'm not entirely sure, but it seems someone might not like me personally.
... nah. That's hard to believe. I get along with everyone!
}}
== March ==
=== 30 ===
{{playerlog|Nala Ushiriel|
Dear Neth and Tish,
My journey into this new land enters its second week and already I have nearly entered the Queen's embrace twice. The diverse research group that I've joined unfortunately has a more interventionist approach to achieve their various goals, and the indigenous populations have so far proven more antagonistic than those of the material plane - both the plantfolk and the yetis we've encountered have turned down all food offerings. One would think that the yetis would have at least taken pause at the sight of food, but perhaps my already spilled blood was more distracting.
Either way, I send you both my best and hope the estate is running smoothly. [[File:IkariSignetRingStamp.png|100px|right|(the wax seal stamped onto the letter)]]
Until the Matron's wings guide me back,
Nala
}}
=== 23 ===
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
Fresh meat for team deathsquad … I mean Ruby Council. While the group was out searching for Tumormoss, we encountered a hostile forest. The new members survived our encounter with nature. The big one seemed saddened by having to defend ourselves. They may yet be useful, considering they aren't elves of course.
}}
{{playerlog|Nala Ushiriel|
Peace be with you Mother Ushiriel,
It has been a fascinating journey so far in this unstudied land with both old and new cultures to study. A wonderful mixing pot of cultures resides in the Sunholm guild itself, so I have joined one of the more diverse factions to begin my observations.
Already it seems rife in differences - more than one would typically find in a single material plane settlement - and I am excited to record each of them. For instance, the tabaxi recruiter seemed concerned about any implication of faction member death as if death is something to be avoided and not spoken of, whereas three other members of the faction seemed emboldened by the threat of death as if the edge of death was something to be pursued. I will continue to delve into each members' unique perspectives as I journey with them.
However, it is not just this new guild-based culture that remains to be studied, the land itself flourishes with other intelligent societies. Just the other day, I ventured into it with three veteran members and another newcomer like myself to acquire some greatly needed medicinal herbs, and we encountered a society of creatures made entirely out of plants. The firbolg newcomer seemed able to communicate with them; however, he was not able to negotiate peaceful passage through their lands before they launched an attack. My personal attempts to stop their attacks - first at trying to gain their trust through food and then at dissuading them with fire - also failed, so I was left with little choice but to more directly intervene and try to provide them the Queen's mercy swiftly.
I may have even entered the Queen's embrace early during the intervention were it not for the elven faction member's timely arcane shields. He will be an interesting one to study as he proclaims elven superiority yet still protects those he sees inferior from death. Not to say the others are any less interesting - quite the contrary - I currently have a hypothesis that a couple of them have an obsession with kidnapping the children of those they kill out of guilt of the deaths they inflicted but I'll require more data points to confirm this analysis.
I will continue to report my findings for as long as the Raven Queen wills it.
May the Queen's mercy be swift,
Nala Ushiriel
}}
=== 10 ===
=== 10 ===
{{npclog|Kurst Halacor|
{{playerlog|Communal Log|
It was reported to us late last night that a member of the terrorist group who attacked and destroyed our guild hall, leaving many dead and even more wounded, was posing as a guild member. Thanks to the brave diligence of the reporter we were able to locate and dispatch this intruder with prejudice. Many thanks to all of you who keep an open eye to things around us, even those that seem mundane. Additionally the [[:Category:Scoutslayer_Faction|Scoutslayer Faction]] is hereby disbanded as a penalty for unknowingly harboring a dangerous fugitive. No crimes are being processed against any of the former members at this time.
* The group decided to wait the time out
* Rich's character investigated the magic that was being purified and found that it was being used to create arcane that mortals could use. He went about trying to construct a magic item to allow him to cast two instances of illusion magic at the same time and the workers constructed it for him so his character has a ring that allows for minor or major illusion to be cast twice whenever it is cast once.
* Trevor's character tried to build a bigger gun, which failed
* Morgans character went around asking people if they had names and ended up with the general opinion of him becoming less favorable
* Gabe's character went to try to hide some loot for future adventurers to find, but ended up not doing so


There are still two members of this abhorrent terrorist group at large. Any information on them should be reported directly to the Guildmasters, while capturing or sentencing them may not bring back our fallen allies and friends it will enforce justice and prevent these monsters from ever committing such acts again.}}
When the group went up to meet with Ti they were greeted by a hunched figure in the middle, spreading from the figure were a multitude of, what I was only able to describe as, hinged tendrils. A series of straight sections that bent at fixed intervals along their path. At the end of each tendril was a creature that looked like a slightly mutated version of the one in the middle, some taller, some smaller, some wider, etc etc. Each one was recording data on some medium, all sorts of methods of record were being utilized.


{{npclog|Alfis Korkin|
Above the room hovered a large glowing ovoid object that lit up Ti's room with a light brighter then the natural sunlight from outside, which the group learned was "the weaverseed" the source of existence for the realm and the arcane nexus that creates the deities every millennia. The magic from this object is what was being purified in the lower section of the tower.
It is with great honor and gusto that I welcome my old fellow in arms [[Doctor 54]] into the [[:Category:Forerunners Faction|Forerunners Faction]]. They are a great upstanding member of our community hit with the tragic news of an imposter in their mists. We ask that, due to the indecent resulting in this promotion, you refrain from the customary media and interviews of our guild for the following two weeks. May our guardians watch over us all, and may those tracking down the remaining terrorists be carried swiftly by the wind and be strengthened by the earth.
}}


{{npclog|Krank|
When the players walked in they obseved all of the jointed tendrils fold in pulling each of the bodies into the central one, who then stood up and greeted the players with a smile asking how they could help. Ti stood 12 feet tall, draped in a raggity cloak manufactured in an era long past. Their face rather unassuming while their arms and legs like black sticks jutting out from under their cloak. Ti also seemed to be able to reach at any point in the room regardless of the distance, as demonstrated when patting Morgan's character on the head while exploring the room.
YEAH! NEW MEMBERS HAVE APPLIED TO JOIN <b>[[:Category:Glistening Steel Faction|THE BEST FAAAACTION]]</b>. A STRONG WELCOME TO THE UNSTOPPABLE <S>JUGJ</s> <S>JOOGER</S> <S>JUHGERNOT</S> BEAST OF A TANK [[Gruut|GRUUT]]!!!! WE ALSO HAVE GETTING THE MAD MAGE, THE MAPMAKER SUPREME, THE ULTIMATE CASTER, [[Tenari Barboa|TEEEENAAAAARRRRRRIIIIIII BUBUALA]]. WE ARE GOING TO GO ON SO MANY ADVENTURERS NOW THAT THERE ARE THREE OF US HERE! SMASH THE TERRORISTS!
}}


{{npclog|Kit Oma|
Ti was questioned by the individuals who entered their room, explaining that Ti's purpose is to record the history of the plane. In doing so Et granted Ti the ability to grant names to individuals so that they may be more easily referenced within the history. As such the party asked Ti to give them names.
Presented here is the formal declaration of the acceptance of the members [[Simon Cantalar]] and [[Sarah Cantalar]] into the [[:Category:Amber Leaf Faction|Amber Leaf]].
}}


{{npclog|Brem Nomar|
At this point the DM did not have enough information for any player other then Trevor as to what their name would be.
Taking some time off with [[Kaldeth Srak Nomar|Kaldeth]] to go explore some of the sites of sunholm. [[Ond Nomar]] will be taking over the shop while we are gone. Potion manufacturing will continue when we return.
*Trevor's character was named Ith'Geb. Who later in history would become known as "Keeper of the Forge"
}}


{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
The other players decided among themselves which characters would fit best to each of these roles (with some restrictions based on character choices):
??????????????
*Keeper of the Temples
??????????????
*Keeper of the Army
??????????????
*Keeper of the Homeland
*Keeper of the Faith


How did it all go wrong? All we did was come back from the dungeon with a prisoner/rescuee. I guess Mae went off and did something silly again. Well, it'll be a lot harder for her to do such silliness in the future, what with her spellcasting arm gone.
As a result Ti named each of the characters
*Rich's Character - Mai'cef, who would later be known as Keeper of the Faith
*Morgan's Character - Neb'tet who would later be known as Keeper of the Homeland
*Gabe's Character - Dae'mon, who would later be known as Keeper of the Temples
*Courtney's Character was left with - Kit'lai, who would later be known as Keeper of the Army


The Justin/Cally person we rescued was kept in our guild hall just to be safe while their sister (who I learned later was Maerilith in disguise, go figure) went to alert the authorities about the situation. Unfortunately, it appears that due process couldn't fit through the portal, and so they leapt out of their guild hall sword and spell in hand. Murdering ensued, revengeance for murdering ensued, and at the end of it both Justin and Cally (who knows who) are dead and Mae is an arm down. She still hasn't told us who did it, but I think we can all guess. Well, we can do our best to help her recover and (apparently) "earn back her arm", whatever that means.
After the naming the player's characters begun to grow the beginings of their wings and the scene ended.


Anyway, this is bad for me since my old friends at Scoutslayers aren't too keep to see me anymore. How will I be able to utilize all this gold I've started to rapidly accumulate? I've heard of these things called "high yield savings accounts" and "guild bonds" but those are all a little too uninteresting. My children will live a lavish life, if I have anything to say about it.
Each one of the player charactes in the primary time were granted a vision of one of Ti's many external bodies, after such an even each character became aware of the entire contents of the minicampaign (which would have been hilarious if Gabe had followed through on hiding loot). Additionally they became aware of excerpts of Ti's History (as found on the wiki page).
}}


{{playerlog|Lelyvia|
And that was the end of the session.
Lathander forgive me for this after your divine light saved Maerilith this week, but may Simon and Sarah Cantalar '''''rot in hell''''' for their atrocities. They nearly murdered Mae in cold blood and would have succeeded were it not for Lathander's grace and Brem's assistance! Simon and Sarah blamed Maerilith for the death of their sister when the blame is really on the terrorist Justin and the judicial system of the guild leaders.  


When Mae couldn't change the guild leaders minds, she immediately sought out ways to bring Kali back from the dead, and how did Simon and Sarah repay Maerilith for her kindness? By trying to disintegrate her, by dismembering her right arm, by leaving her to bleed out on guild grounds, and by threatening to finish what they started should Maerilith fail to find ''their'' sister's soul! While I do mourn for Kali with everyone else and hope that we can restore her, I will not weep for her siblings. They've forsaken their souls in their path of vengeance.
New pieces of history will be added to Ti's Journal over time, extending from where the Minicampaign ended (~1200 years after Et's birth) up until the current era (~6000 years after Et's birth)


But Lathander help us... I don't know how long Mae will be recovering for... I'm doing my best to heal her, but her wounds are deep and I regret to say that I'm out of practice...
[[Excerpts_from_Ti’s_History|Excerpts from Ti's History]]
}}
}}


=== 2 ===
=== 3 ===
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
{{playerlog|Communal Log|
Unfortunately, the tablet we purchased from Moz lost its magic, and so our plans to construct a gym were met with failure. I hope Crash doesn't mind.
on our way to et's domain we encountered a slime/ooze dark entity. it did not have a name.
 
the ooze led us towards macaroni and cheese. It lead us towards the one with the name.
We went off to find a Pegasus for Virta, and I touched it (as one does), which transported me to a strange building. I teleported back to the guild using my band, just to check if it would work. Unfortunately, that meant I had to be teleported once again which almost killed me. Do anyone reading this, do not trust Rok, he is a fugly slut. We also killed a beholder and stuff. To anyone reading this, Beholder parts for sale!!!
the ooze was cheerful and slowly killed themselves as they moved.
 
got to the girthy tower from up close.
Something else may have happened with the people or something but whatever, something about someone named Cally? I'm sure everything went fine with that.
we did things and the session ended.
 
talked to someone briefly and then fixed an elevator.
Also if anyone from outside the Ruby Counsel is reading this, I'm looking to resurrect some bones. Will pay good cash for a spellcaster with revivify and the requisite materials!
Ti is in a room and there's two guards guarding the room
Somehow chess was being played with Rich to distract them but it didn't work
wow these low fat doritos are pretty good.
cstover could teleport one of us in there?
morgan tried to break the door down and got shot.
we waited one week there.
fade to black
}}
}}


== February ==
== April ==
=== 23 ===
=== 26 ===
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
{{playerlog|Communal Log|
I met Oolmagi! The infamous mage that has inhabited Sunholm for several centuries. He is an interesting character. Seems to be very wise, but seems to have some problems with his short term memory.
We're children of Jalari, so they tell us. We don't have names because children of deities don't get names. Jalari and Et are two main deities. One day a village explodes. We are all taken back into hiding. We're supposed to be good toward the mortals. Although people tow the line and interfere sometimes.


While there he briefly let me play with a small magical box. When I opened the box, I was was filled with ... knowledge ... infinite knowledge!. Unfortunately, I was not able to hold onto any of the knowledge after closing the box.
Purpose is to find our purpose. Find out someone (rumors) that a deity kin has a name - Ti. We tried to escape once but were stopped by Jalari because not stealthy enough. A year later, tried again and tried invisibility and other skills and succeeded. Then we traveled towards a town that the rumor originated from. Approached the encampment, Gabe and Rich disguised selves and went to town elders and eventually we all revealed ourselves - Morgan's character was drawn in by Rich's drumming and the rest followed.


But under the effects of the box, I was able to understand what Oolmagi was working on. A spell to undo the effects of any other spell that was previously cast. It seemed he wanted to use it to reverse the effects of a magical explosion. Perhaps he was trying to undo some of the damage his experiments have caused before? Such as a certain destroyed village.
Trevor took a lot of their stuff and left a constantly glowing item with the encampment. We are now heading toward Et's domain. Et is the elder of the two deities. Dragons exist and have been tied to primal elements already - their purpose (6 dragons). Jalari is younger than the dragons.


I also noticed that his left eye as a glowing white stone. Upon questioning, it seems that he created five magical artifacts from his own body, the eye being one of them. He eluded to the fact that these are the same as the radiant artifacts we encountered earlier.
[[Courtney's Comprehensive Collection]]
}}
}}


=== 12 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
All I have to say is Chesh's cookies are the best and no one can convince me otherwise.
Lelyvia is dead.
 
Also, Crash is a ruthless businessman who unnecessarily jacked up the price of a nearly useless tablet to make a profit off the Ruby Counsel.
}}
}}


{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
BEGIN PRIVATE LOG
Lelyvia's dead, all right! And what drama too, seeing her head, still plastered with a surprised expression, tumble to the ground. But we avenged her, indeed with my final ounce of arcane power I myself sent the dastard who slew our companion into the realm beyond!  
I found a new Legend, Legend-18. My reading suggests this is the next in a line of god-slaying warforged, which is very cool! I also found a bag of bones of his friend, Rebecca. Legend doesn't seem to understand friends, or any of that stuff. Conveniently, he's just like a little child, perfect for my expertise. Another charge - I'm so busy! Anyway, I have a strange feeling I should keep all of this stuff a secret, hence the private log.


Also, we were trying to trick Moz into giving us the teleportation tablet. We ended up needing to spend big bucks on it, thanks to that dweeb (new word I learned the other day) Crash. I really hope it's not broken!
It was a mighty struggle, and we none of us came away without new, well-earned scars. Skythrix (proper spelling TBD) was a most worthy adversary, and full of vicious hate; it was a clear a dark, preternatural power drove her to fits of low cunning and viciousness not seen in any of our previous foes. Our mightiest mage spent most of the fight twiddling his thumbs in a demiplane, and only the desperate fireblasting of our second-mightiest mage saved the day. Here's hoping we face no such odds again, in any short amount of time...
END PRIVATE LOG
}}
 
=== 9 ===
{{playerlog|Lelyvia|
I finally managed to convince Maerilith to take a week off and not go out adventuring for once, and what happens? Avallac'h, Ignar, Jimmy, and Nanny 02 return with four, FOUR arctic baby basilisks! Lathander help me, I was already struggling with the two human children, and now we have four "pets" that can petrify a person before they can blink. Yes, Jimmy acquired appropriate eye coverage for them and, yes, we constructed a basement space to hold them, but that doesn't make them any less deadly! Maerilith says I'll warm up to their deathly cute puppy dog eyes eventually and that I'm already a statue with how long sit for my morning prayer sessions, but I don't see it.
 
At least we're not the only ones stuck with hatchling basilisks; although, Brem has it easier with his... questionable methods and adopted family members. I suppose blindfolding ours until we can train them otherwise is more humane than taking over their minds. Mayhaps they'll develop blindsense over time?
 
Well... Beyond the new pets and construction, Nanny 02 finally won a game at the Scoutslayer's faction. I'm not sure why the others don't discourage or stop Nanny 02 more; we really should stage an intervention at some point. Winning a game is only going to feed their addiction and prolong this cycle. Sigh... Must I be the only responsible one looking out for the faction's health?
 
At least the others are just fiddling with a puzzle today, so Lathander willing, they don't get themselves into any life threatening situations for once. Wait... Did someone just disappear? Sigh... And there they go off who knows where... All I heard was "something something tap the opal nine times something something" before they each poofed. Hopefully not to another temple. That last one I went into was enough for me, too many close calls. I don't know how they do it every week, but I'll diligently watch over the puzzle sheet they left behind until they pop back out of it presumably. Hopefully... Lathander watch over them wherever they are.
}}
}}


== March ==
=== 29 ===
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
I'm writing this log before I forget to, because I'm about to embark on a potentially life-changing journey. We are the 5 of us inside the most wond'rous building. I'll not reveal much more since this will eventually be published in the public log and perhaps our location should be kept private, so I'll just get to the heart of the matter.
Hark, the tower once again! around and around and around. It is never ending. Who knows what awaits us at the top?
 
I finally beat Olaf at his card game!!! Let all who read this know that Nanny-02 is now officially made of money. Come try and take it from me, if you dare, haha!
}}
}}
=== 22 ===
{{playerlog|Kizmet|
PRIVATE LOG
Oh, the pain of a lost existence! I was mere inches from my goal, I could taste it in the wind. We were trapped in a time loop of some kind by the reckless spellcraft of that wizard [[Avallac'h]]. He dared to gaze through the crystal ball into the misty future, and we were punished for our hubris by the gods! At least, at first I thought it was a punishment. Every time the loop began, a swarm of raccoons I was collecting thrashed and gnawed in my arms! [[Lucky]] ate his baked potato many a time. Only little [[Lelyvia]] escaped unscathed.


== January==
It took us a few rounds to realize what was happening. In that time, I met the loves of (the remainder of) my life, the earthly Dina and the gorgeous young Mira... I think? The time scramble must have damaged my memories somehow... Anyway, they remember me not. Mira liked shells... I think?
=== 26 ===
{{npclog|Sarah Cantalar|
So it has been tough getting some money recently, but I stumbled across a silly little faction who was going after some expensive loot and decided to tag along. One of their members typically gambles with us so the money would have been ours anyways. I figure I would just shorten the process. Wow was this a mistake. They call themselves a party, but they are more disjointed then even ours. We ran into some Yeti scoundrels and their oldest member took a swipe at them then booked it out to dodge leaving the rest of us to clean up. One dude turned into a Plesiosaurus, that was pretty dope. The gambler was able to ward off some of the yetis with some chaotic magic I had never seen before. Was there someone else there too, I can't remember? Hopefully this pays off.}}
=== 19 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
Another flawless week of guard duty; at this rate, I'll be able to begin feeding my <strike>spell addiction</strike> drive for knowledge again at Legend 03's shop.
 
Beside that though, this week was far from a success... We deliberated too long with how to treat the "death" goblin village and ended up having to wipe them out once diplomacy failed to enlist them against Skithryx's army. And during my... our moment of retribution, we were too distracted to notice the army and Skithryx herself creep up on us.  
 
It was unnerving to receive any praise from the monster who blew up the guild, but I doubt we'll get the chance to chat again after our parting. I may have thrown a few fireballs around the village in hopes that the goblins explosives would set off a chain reaction to take out at least a chunk of the army and keep them from acquiring the rest. However, I didn't have the time nor the firepower to set them all off before I had to flee.
 
Jimmy and Ignar witnessed the sizeable number of fireballs thrown my direction after my timely escape and noted Skithryx's unscathed form before portaling back themselves. This army may only be a few dozen, but it is more than a formidable force that now also has half a goblin village's worth of explosives at their disposal...  


I can only hope their direction doesn't turn toward us soon. Our only saving grace for now is that they don't know we're from the guild... Or at least none of us mentioned it... We're going to need more allies to deal with this before it gets further out of hand.
Once, the others tried to reach Moz's office to get assistance freeing us from the loop. Fortunately, I was in the bar learning about (I think) Mira's infatuation with (I think) seashells. So, I was not witness to the horrible slaughter of my friends by the guildmasters' faction, when they recklessly disintegrated their way past the construct Ruby.
}}


=== 5 ===
I soon realized that in such a world, I could find true immortality! I sped off to the guildmaster's faction to speak with Moz and remove the means of breaking the loop, but she was not so easily swayed. No matter how I gnashed my teeth in rage none of them would be dissuaded. It sparked a dark fury in me, burning away at the stubby wick of my passion. Heartless, all of them! Why should I believe in them, when they none of them feel my agony? Why pay homage to Lethander's sunrise when only '''God-Lord Et''' has proffered any form of assistance?
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
The new year brings new adventures. After a much needed break from being the best guild in Sunholm, we returned to the temple that Crash's ring led us to. We faced off against two mystical beings, one dark and one "light". Their magical abilities were potent but we persevered. In the end we found Dae'mon who told us more about the conflict with Ett. He asked for help to fight against his rival, with little to no prospect for rewards. Well, it turns out we found a bunch of riches in the temple so it was worth it in the end.
}}
}}
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
After breezing through 3 trivial weeks of guard duty and celebrating the Winter Festival and newly dubbed Crashmas, we decided to kick off the new year with clearing out more postings.
Crash was busy with Crashmas cleanup, so Jimmy, Ignar, Avallac'h, and I returned to the Jalari temple, which had to have unlocked the patience door by now. Once through, we encountered a devilish harpy beast and a fallen angel - they proved to be challenging foes, but we persevered.
I worry that the lion guide won't be happy with us when it awakes though... We may have taken more than what was offered... But then again, there didn't appear to be any immediate repercussions either, so mayhaps the test was to take all that we deserved?
We finally reunited with Daemon at the end, too! I hadn't seen him since that terrifying first encounter <strike>''<small>where Taro and I fled...</small>''</strike> where I hadn't had the chance to ask him much before. Fortunately, he graced us with several minutes of his time to answer what he could about Jalari's worshippers and current hierarchy; their battle with Et, the Great Rival; and how we may curry favor with them by clearing out the temples. Apparently, each temple serves varying purposes, but to what end, I do not know.
Lastly, if anyone finds a strange large structure hidden around the plane that resembles an Eye of some sort, please let the Ruby Counsel know. Wait... I wonder if the device that caused the miasma could be one... To be investigated.
Overall, a very profitable venture, and we're considering renovations to the faction hall to better demonstrate our veritable success as the third most ''exemplary'' faction of the guild. Wait... '''''What''' is Legend selling next week!'' Please forgive me while I <strike>salivate over</strike> carefully consider additional spell purchases over room renovations this week.
}}
== December ==
=== 15 ===
=== 15 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
{{playerlog|Kizmet|
The trial of patience for the Jalari temple continues and only Ignar and Avallac'h were interested in heading out this week before the long winter festival, so we decided to tackle what at first had seemed like a small task.
Gaaaah, my aching bones! They sing their complaints day and night. The priestess of Lathander did her best to console me, but there are no new dawns on my life. No dawns for me. My patron stirs though, detecting somehow the approach of my soul. Not yet, great one! I need more time.
 
We went to Kurst to gather details on the mysteriously destroyed village. And great news! Kurst's arm is finally starting to grow back! And Moz portaled us to this strange abandoned village - only 6 or so charred structures remained. It clearer had been destroyed in an arcane fashion, but the oddest part though was the lack of any metal whatsoever; there were even nail holes that were empty but had no signs of prying them out. Some of the nail holes even seemed to have been emptied after the explosion took place... It was most mysterious and the only clues that remained were 4 sets of tracks.
 
We started following the first, which appeared to be something rolled or dragged across the ground. However, these began going through the forest with no rhyme or reason, ''<small>(and Ignar seemed to think that it was a dragon or something, which made no sense whatsoever, if anything, they had looked more like a wurm of some sort)</small>'' so we abandoned those after 6 arduous hours and started following the wagon tracks leaving the village to see if it would prove more fruitful. It did not.
 
We reached what appeared to be a campsite, and I deduced that this was the path the goblins had taken to reach the village and was likely how they brought the village crafting supplies in the first place. So, back to the village we went after camping there for the night.


For a day and a half, we follow one of the last set of tracks leaving the village, but eventually after checking the pointer pebble, we realized this was the path the goblins took to reach the guild. So, after having wasted all that time walking, ''<small>well... walking for everyone else while I flew with the wind in my hair and useless wings</small>'' we portaled back to the guild and discover that Brem has been caring for the 4 goblin prisoners? that arrived from the village.
I found some reprieve with the witch [[Grendel]] and her hulking companion [[Urk'Buk]]. I was startled by their door greeting and destroyed it inadvertently; Grendel was kind enough to waive the great sum! What a sweet young lady. And with such lovely remedies - my bones felt better, however temporarily, after drinking her tea. Now, if only I had a more permanent solution...
 
We head over to Brem's and... Ignar got to drink a potion made of an elder black dragon's scale and sprouts the most beautiful, full spread, glorious... ahem... I mean, they were alright. Just okay. Nothing to brag about. They were just a couple a wings that he flew surprisingly fast around the guild on for over 10 minutes. They might have even lasted over an hour, but I didn't deign to watch them with every ounce of my being. That would have been beneath me to seethe with such envy.
 
Brem might be able to make the potion again with an elder black dragon scale and 10,000gp... Or perhaps make one a dragon themselves with the heart of an elder black dragon! Certainly something to consider...
 
But I digress. Brem introduced us to the 4 goblins who hadn't had names, but now... '''''sigh...''''' There are now 3 more Maerilith's and 1 more Lelyvia at the guild. Fortunately, they're dreadful at spelling and remembering long phrases, so they go more by a shorthand of Lith, Ond, Erd, and Via. I must tread carefully around them though, lest they get jealous. Anyway, they told us that it was Greth who had destroyed their village and told them to leave because it was dangerous.
 
After a quick round of sendings, Greth informed us that the creature had been an ooze. So, back to the village we go to stack out this ooze. We toss the chimera-sized manacles on the ground to try to lure it into a trap, but they dissolved before our eyes with seemingly nothing around it. I tossed a psychic modified fireball, but nothing seemed to react. Ignar tossed a silver coin that continued dissolving and finally a large silvery ooze revealed itself and attacked Avallac'h!
 
After a tense battle with Ignar being morphed into a Tyrannosaurus Rex then a giant crab after the ooze doubled in size, too, and wailed on him, we finally manage to bring it down and fill 2 vials with the ooze.
 
After reporting to Moz, she considered that it may have been a grey ooze mutation of some sort to have had the ability to turn invisible and enlarge itself - I gave her one of the vials for her and Roc to study. Then we gave the second vial to Brem and reported to Greth that the ooze was destroyed. An eventful conclusion to a year's adventuring!
}}
}}


=== 8 ===
=== 8 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
{{playerlog|Lelyvia|
Well, Gnina appears to be a permanent member of the faction hall, at least for now. ''<small>We'll see how long that lasts with Ignar's track record, but somehow they are still getting along oddly well...</small>''
As Lathander teaches us, just as there will always be another dawn, there will always be a chance for a new beginning for all. It was good to see more new faces join the morning sermon this week, and while there seems to be a devious plot afoot, it's good to see the Sunholm community come together to help one another out. I don't want to give out too many details for the sake of privacy of my flock, but rest assured that nobody is in danger of being murdered in their sleep.
 
Anywho, still getting our feet back under us from the vacation, we decided to help Crash out and finally solve the mystery to where his ring goes. After finding and logging another circle of jumpstones north of the Vahlarot temple, we eventually discovered a hidden portal tied directly to the ring that took us to a hallowed temple of Jalari.
 
Within, we encountered several rooms of trials - Wealth, Life, Luck, Charity, Prayer, Penitence, Devotion, Loyalty - some seemingly an inverse while others were more straightforward. Yet, even after going through each one, the last door refused to open. Perhaps this last one is Patience... ''<small>The most difficult trial of them all...</small>''
}}
}}


=== 1 ===
=== 1 ===
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
Although our mission was not technically under the purview of the Guild, Ignar and I agreed it would be in the best interest of team cohesion to share our spoils. He's such a good teammate! In that light, I'll log the events here.
Infiltrating the compound was no sweat (not that I sweat, haha!!!). I simply slipped us into the servants' corridors running throughout the manor, and off we went! Ignar took the wise precaution of being purposefully spotted by the guards to distract them all with the alarm - what a good teammate! And he took the initiative without our planning it at all. I hope to be as decisive as him one day.
I was able to rescue my darling Channa from her hideous family again with no problems. The whole time, we could hear Ignar's distraction pulling attention away from us. Adventurer excellence embodied! Soon enough we also had the wizard in tow. Verta's companions are no joke; the wizard was disabled without difficulty.
Anyway, long story short we made it back without significant bodily harm, although the both of us could use a very long rest.
}}
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
Last week, the Harvest festival was a pleasant break from the usual goings on of the guild, filled with food and laughter. Unfortunately, the peace didn't last with the sudden arrival of yet another child at the faction hall.
This week was... a week... We now have two toddlers at the faction hall, but fortunately, they've been relegated to the newly constructed upstairs quarters. I'll need to update the building schematics soon with all this growth...
Besides that interrogation of the prisoner has gone well, and we should probably check on a couple possible insider threats. Otherwise, justice is finally being served! At least partially. We still need to find the villains who carried out the wizard's work even if they were homunculi brainwashed into doing this.
Research on the Radiant mind shards has also progressed well, and there's finally a satisfactory game for 4 exemplary spellcasters to partake in together! Rok is even quite skilled at it when not distracted. ''<small>Though I definitely would have won the second game if Avallac'h hadn't bumped the table...</small>''
Ignar with abnormally long legs is also a terrifying sight that I recommend all to avoid for their sanity. And while beyond any stretch of imagination... extremely beyond... Ignar seems to have finally found an old lady who already wants to be his wife and wants to move into the faction hall. How he managed to woo someone with those legs is beyond me. Nothing could explain it. It's kept me up every night this week trying to decipher it! ''<small>Not that I sleep anyways.</small>'' And I've finally developed a theory: when the temporary youth spell wore off, he rebounded and his memory deteriorated from his old age even further, forgetting one of his many ex-wives - I even dredged up an ancient quest log by Ignar from years ago addressed to someone with the same name as this person - this can be the only explanation.
}}
== November ==
=== 17 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
With Avallac'h's assistance, I finally paid off my debt to Olaf (and Nanny 02 proceeded to donate even more gold to Olaf in a game of cards), and after a productive outing, we also finished paying off the faction's debt to Ignar!
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Moz and Verta are back! And apparently negotiations went well! I'm relieved we were able to add Grithix as an ally to the guild, and it sounds like the radiant mind pieces have been a tremendous help to Rok's studies, too. Verta also seemed pleased by the information we were able to extract from the terrorist witch's head, but only really seemed interested in discussing in details with Ignar and Nanny 02... Supposedly, they're getting to go on an exclusive mission but won't tell us any of the details. <strike>''<small>Seems a bit like favoritism to me...</small>''</strike> Well... More food for the rest of us during the harvest festival next week!
Lastly, we finally captured a Sunholm chimera! It didn't seem all that different from a regular one, but we did subdue the beast fairly quick. Though the pesky bugger ate through one of my pouches while temporarily polymorphed as a mouse for transport. By the by, if anyone has need of large iron quadruped manacles with a chain lead, the Ruby faction has one we can loan for a cost.
All in all, this was a productive week and the harvest festival will be a well deserved break and celebration of all we've accomplished!
}}
=== 10 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
Grithix, Verta, and Moz are all still undergoing negotiations. Hopefully it's going alright, but at least they haven't raised arms against one another yet... Rok will let us know once it's resolved.
Until then, we need to wrap up some other loose ends. With the radiant mind destroyed, the other two unaccounted for radiant artifacts could be actively in use by someone, but we have no leads on those yet.
We returned Legend 03's sword fragments for a reduced quest reward - alas, the sword's condition couldn't be helped... Nanny 02 also may have met their creator today! Apparently Zan, a good friend of Legend 03's, is an artificer who constructs some of the newer warforged models, but we didn't have the opportunity to ask before they walked off. Hm... Despite being a human, he certainly seemed to be a bit... uppity like Avallac'h usually is...
Unfortunately, not all is good news this week. Despite the defeat of Archdevil Melrithkar Dothkrith, it appear that Anton passed a couple days ago; the curse was not lifted. If you know of Anton's next of kin, please notify Kurst or Kayhal who's arranging the funeral with the other guild clerics.
Worse yet, we spoke with that despicable witch head - the one that blew up the guild many months back - and we have vital information to share with everyone as soon as we gather our thoughts. It changes everything...
}}
=== 3 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
We finally found all the pieces of Legend 03's sword! Unfortunately, it's in pieces, but we hope that he'll be able to reforge it from what we found. We'll speak with him shortly, but more importantly..!
We defeated Archdevil Melrithkar Dothkrith the Forger, the Imbuer, the Enchanter, the Soulweaver, the Twelfth Named Heir of Nessus, the Duke of Malabolge, The Crown Prince of Trade, the Deceiver of Waukeen Lathander Gond and Oghma, the Tricksters Match, and Spawn of Asmodeus! That fiend will terrorize the citizens of Sunholm no longer! Now to double check that the existing curses are gone or can safely be removed now...
But we couldn't have done it without Grithix Deloyo! She did most of work slaying and containing the archdevil, so everyone should thank Grithix for her service to the guild. We're showing her around the guild now, and for some reason Jimmy, Ignar, and Nanny 02 were insistent on showing her to Moz first, so that's where we're headed. I really hope they get along...
}}
== October ==
=== 27 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
So we discovered that Malbolge is the 5th level of Hell. Why Silvester got an invitation there is still a mystery; however, it could be useful for later endeavors...
Also, Crash's shrubbery is missing! Please report any shrubbery sightings to the Ruby Counsel.
In other news, we scoped out Abram Grenth's old hideout but it had been thoroughly picked through already. Jimmy started talking to a tree and discovered that the two-headed creatures that raided it were not ettin as we'd previously assumed, and then we ran into Greth again! Or more like Greth jumped out of a tree onto Silvester... And then Silvester punched Greth... And then Greth ran away again...
But that's okay! We caught up, explained everything, and reassured Greth that Avallac'h won't go crazy and try to murder him again. Greth also completely agrees with me that Dothkrith/Melrithkar needs to be dispatched, or at the very least agrees that the devil's mean.
Anywho, Greth took us to the dual wyverns that tried to eat him previously and we quickly dispatched them in retribution and looted their lair. All in all, a fairly successful venture - got some treasure and started to regain Greth's trust!
... It was the first time we were emergency portaled back to the guild though... There was a loud ringing and then suddenly we were teleported back... We've been outside the guild for several days before and even farther than that through portaling without the emergency charge triggering that quickly. Something was off about that area. Or maybe something dangerous was approaching? Whatever the cause, we need to be careful where we go next until we all get our charges back or finally upgrade the wristbands.
-----
Jimmy also finally wasted his 2 wishes for the ability to always know what time it is and to be able to better express himself, which resulted in a couple useless magic items. What a waste...
}}
=== 20 ===
{{playerlog|Lelyvia|
{{playerlog|Lelyvia|
Maerilith has wanted to be very hush hush lately with all the personal going ons, so I will attempt to summarize what I can for the rest of the guild.
It's been a while since I've done one of these quest logs, but I must regret to inform all in the material plane that Lindric Luckstone, also known as Lucky, is dead and has been dead for so long as I've not known him. <small>''*whispers to Maerilith* Am I doing this correctly?''</small> Ahem... May Lathandar watch over that poor soul...
 
Dothkrith, otherwise known as Melrithkar, remains at large! There was apparently another encounter with them shortly after meeting up with Milo again; however, it was too dangerous to attempt an attack without a guarantee of success. We may only get one chance to permanently kill this devil since it will likely respawn in Hell and return soon after if we don't do this properly. Whether we take this fight to Hell itself or find a weapon capable of permanently defeating such a being, we need to be careful.
 
There's also a matter of being able to reliably summon the creature and finding the means to actually do either of the options above... And also the matter of whether Ignar's, Anton's, Avallac'h's, or anyone else's curses will be removed upon the devil's death... But have hope! Lathander shall light our path and help us purge this great evil from this land! We will find a way to save each of our guild member's lives! We're all in this together. Every guild member could suffer at the hands of this devil until it is dealt with. So if you have any information to assist with this endeavor, please contact the Ruby Counsel.
}}
}}


{{playerlog|Maerilith|
== February ==
'''''Maerilith's Personal Notes (For OOC reminders)'''''
=== 15 ===
* Met with Anton - poor dragonborn is nearly on death's door from starvation. Probably has about the same amount of time as Ignar... Maybe less. Have Anton's encounter with Melrithkar marked on map, but likely was just drawn to the blood.
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
* Olaf and Tenari took us to meet Milo. Tenari still sus. Couldn't overhear their whispers over the journey. Gave them high level overview that need to kill Melrithkar before Ignar's soul is taken. Unwanted contact from Tenari, but confirmation on devil sighting... Wait... Tenari has done illusions and lies before... Tenari still sus.
BEGIN PRIVATE LOG
* Jimmy and Ignar purchase a couple things from Milo. Milo was helpful and much more straightforward with deals and information. Apparently, Melrithkar has been rude to Milo but not outright hostile.
* Olaf offered to sell devil summoning book from Percival for 5000gp. For 10000gp, he'll help us summon and kill it but will flee if his life is threatened. Coward... Though I suppose I would do the same...
* Jimmy cozies up to Tenari for some reason. Gave him 5 entire potions of healing! Jimmy didn't bother to donate any of those last time people went down...
* Jimmy also had to tell Melrithkar about his ring... Will have to help him protect it now until he does something with it... Jimmy wasting it on some nonsense is far better than someone like Tenari getting their hands on it. Jimmy wishing for all the devil's curses to be undone or for the devil to turn into a rock or something would be even better though...
* Had a few private chats with Grithix. Will help with the fight but wants to meet at Calanbolg for it. Need to get Legend's god-killing sword first.
* Legend 03 is specialized to kill gods. Will be useful for dealing with Et and his void. Will not be great if decides to go after the Hevet Triumvirate.
* Still need to track down Silvester and get more details on where Malbolge is... Maybe a lead? Maybe a trap? Perhaps both.
* Need to keep a closer eye on Nanny 02. Seems to like liberating belongings too much. Will likely get the faction in trouble soon.
* Side note: Why does everyone suddenly seem to be getting dates from the Scoutslayer's faction?
* Side side note: Should I message Chesh about all this, or does she already see all I see?
}}
 
=== 13 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
Most of the faction hall was otherwise preoccupied this week, so Ignar, Avallac'h, and I decided to continue expanding Brem's inventory this week. So up the mountains to the north for Geroy plants we went!


Alas, it was too windy to attempt airborne approaches, so we had to do it by hand and foot and creative applications of magic. Eventually, we successfully reached the midrange of the mountain where the Geroy plant grew. The patch we first came across had not yet blossomed but that was easily remedied with a little druidcraft, and we quickly harvested around a dozen or so. With their roots intact, too!
[[Xan]] was most resistant to our questioning. His smug confidence invited the stick, but I felt obliged to try the carrot for another week more. And it paid off. With just a bit of magical makeup from [[Maerilith]], and proper support from [[Avallac'h]], we convinced him that he was imprisoned with a dwarf. He then convinced himself, quite conveniently, that Mae's disguised form was a disguise... for a devil. He made a pact with this "devil", and in when his guard was down Mae was able to charm him and finagle the sordid details of his process out of him. Once we had done so, we turned him into a slug, and had our young Basili petrify him. Now, tucked away in my pocket, my Creator - at least, one of them. Just a little stone slug, cushioned and protected from the woes of time. Mine, with whom I may do as I see fit.


Ignar was also strangely obsessed with finding old ladies with swords the entire trek on the mountain... He has some very particular tastes, but he really shouldn't be that picky at the guild. I also could have sworn that he still had a wife on the other side of the portal...
Before he took on his new and improved form, Xan revealed to the disguised Maerilith how he manufactures warforged. He claimed that a deal was struck, with a creature who sounded much like Et. Souls in exchange for... nothing, apparently. This thing in my satchel that calls me so is some kind of component of Et's ritual, used to entrap souls into shells. And once that dark ritual is complete, and photoreceptors open for the first time, a living warforged is made.


-----
Such a bastardization of creation. I want no part of this facade. We must learn to grow beyond this crude practice, this mockery of birth. When a fleshling has a child, from whence does its soul stem? Surely not captured from Hell, jammed into foreign flesh and sewn up by magic. No, this is not birth, but slavery hidden behind the chrome of modern Arcana. I seek no mere perpetuation, but Creation for my people. The ability to add Us to the world, not recycle old souls. This core is so powerful, but its power is perverse. It must be destroyed.


Update! Ignar was lying about wanting to woo old ladies with swords and instead was seeking to kill one to avoid getting his soul stolen! Worse, he wanted to kill my kind of great aunt in a way...
Moreover, this discovery weighs on me. Who was I? For if there is no true Creation in metal, then my soul was born to soft flesh. Mercenary? Vagabond? Hero? A Cobbler's son, or the bandit that murdered him? A lady of Waterdeep, or the peasant scraping at her feet? Does it matter? Can I know, somehow? ''Should'' I know, or will such knowledge only burden me further? And... should I tell the world, or even the freed brethren at my side? Who could continue in servitude when your soul was born free?


This is his fault though for making a deal with Dothkrith, apparently otherwise known as Melrithkar, the red devil creature that everyone should avoid at all costs. Yet my warnings apparently fell on deaf ears and no one seems to remember that the red devil is the reason for Sammy's death!
Perhaps the solution lies not in philosophy, but action. My soul... maybe its rightful place lies outside of this artificial skin, this prison of existence. Maybe when this mortal form expires, I will finally fly free, and taste of freedom at last. Maybe...


<strike>Fortunately, </strike>Unfortunately, we only have two months before Ignar's soul is taken... ''<small>If he doesn't kill himself with his fireball platform launcher idea first...</small>'' So we have to take out Melrithkar once and for all! If anyone has any information on anyone named Dothkrith or Melrithkar, please reach out to the Ruby Counsel post haste.
END PRIVATE LOG
 
''<small>Also, I think the other faction members might finally be beginning to tell Lelyvia and I apart. I suppose we are rarely outside our room together, but still, we're completely different colors with different horn shapes - I even have wings and hooves! It really is a mystery why it's taken this long...</small>''
 
-----
 
''I second Maerilith. That devil cannot go unchecked any longer! It has proven itself a menace and now a dire threat to the wellbeing of everyone at the guild. How long will it be before it has tempted every guild member's soul with deathly outcomes? We must put a stop to this devilry! We cannot allow this evil to prosper through our inaction! With Lathander's grace and radiant fire we will overcome this!''
 
''- Lelyvia''
}}
}}
=== 8 ===
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
BEGIN PRIVATE LOG


=== 6 ===
This must be what it feels like to be a young rascal! We've gotten away, and stolen cookies from the jar directly under the nose of our governess. Well, more like we've stolen the governess herself!
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
It seems that I wasn't the only one to receive mail this past week... Although, everyone I've talked to also has never heard of a place called Malbolge, so I think poor Silvester just got a prank letter. <small>''What a terrible waste of paper...''</small>
 
Regardless, today was a day to celebrate! Kali Cantalar was successfully rescued by the Scoutslayers! <strike>So I decided</strike> So the Ruby Counsel decided to bring Kali some gifts to welcome her back and help expedite her recovery.


We managed to gather together a greater healing potion, a jade sculpture found within a green dragon's hoard, and some alcoholic indulgences... Although Simon took most of the last one for himself... <strike>And he can't hold his liquor...</strike> And impressively seemed to tolerate our presence! Simon only tried to kill us once with a delayed fireball and even maybe helped point out a general location of the cave. ''<small>Note to self: try to cross reference location with others before seeking it out and approach with caution regardless.</small>''
After an extensive period of planning we determined that the best approach was to go straight through [[Xan]]'s office window. I took [[Maerilith]]'s broom and led the way. Nobody was around, and an alarm was blaring incessantly, perhaps a new countermeasure against incursions. We took only a few turns before finding him in his library - there I tried to convince him to give up his cruel trade of flesh (alloy). He refused to see reason, but I wasn't surprised.


But overall, I think everyone had a good time. Nanny 02 got to meet Doctor and befriended their warforged dog. Gruut and I had a few meaningful hand waves. ''<small>I'm still not sure why everyone was so concerned about whether Lelyvia knew I had a quill pen pal though...</small>'' Silvester and Nanny 02 seemed to get along with Simon. Silvester even has a sword fighting date with Sarah Cantalar! Avallac'h... was Avallac'h. Tenari was no where to be seen. Kali seemed to appreciate the jade sculpture and seems to be slowly adjusting to all the changes.
The mages held a mighty duel in that cramped laboratory. It was beyond me to understand all the magics they wrought; the air was as much filled with  with muttered incantations as the ring of steel. Hands were constantly blurring with motion, etching arcane convolutions. They never stopped weaving, even as they did their best to interrupt the most powerful spells of their enemies. It was a terrible thing, seeing their delicate dance, but fortunately [[Avallac'h]] and Maerilith worked like the age-old team they are. They were able to occupy Xan's attentions so Ignar and I could move in to engage him. Ah, I believe [[Lucky]] was there as well.


I do worry about what they were doing in that cave though, and why the Whisperers kept Kali alive for so long... I should check in on her every now and then to make sure she's doing alright. I have so many questions for her but know that she needs time to heal before answering.
His laboratory was lined with enslaved warriors who leapt to his defense. I pitied them, but my resolve was unwavering - what is the need of the part to the need of the whole? But, as they closed I suddenly felt a bizarre urge take hold in my processor. I reached into my sachel to find the strange power core that Nanny-12 retrieved for us. As it seemed to beat in my hand, a voice coursed in my ears... ''"Use me,"'' it crooned. At first I thought it was Xan, but this voice was different, ''older'' somehow. '''''"Use me!"''''' it insisted. I lost control of my very arms, as the force compelled me to replace my power core with this dark object.


The day had only just begun though and we didn't want to overstay our welcome. So after saying our farewells and heading out for the day, the Ruby Counsel decided to race to see who could find the Eidelroot Flower first. We had a quick bout with some oversized fish that resulted in a plesiosaurus Jimmy and dire shark Nanny 02 going into a feeding frenzy and Avallac'h trying out a non-fire spell for once. ''<small>Perhaps Avallac'h does have the potential to grow and change... If so, he still has a long way to go with social tact.</small>'' Alas, we eventually had to resort to magic to locate a hidden alcove that led beneath the initial lake bed to an entire cavern filled with Eidelroot!
As I made the switch, the floor fell away from me. My mind felt like it flew to the stars and through the planet itself, tore itself apart and reassembled all askew, writhing with the trauma of change. And as my reassembled self slid neatly into the minds of the Warforged fighting against us, for the briefest moment I felt both the fear and confusion of the enslaved, and the dark glee of the enslaver. I opened my new eyes and saw my own body, brutalizing my friends, saying dark things.


So, Brem will have new inventory soon enough! And hopefully a recipe for cold resistance potions, too.
The battle raged on as I struggled to get used to my new bodies. Walking 3 different bodies with 6 different legs is not a task my mind was designed for. I tried to pry out the black thing from my chest to no avail. Eventually, the team was able to subdue my old body and save me (thanks Mae), and my mind came rushing back to my chassis just in time to deliver the last blow to Xan. His guardians fell quiescent, and we trundled his unconscious body off swiftly to the portal. Our governess is now wrapped neatly up in a carpet, and we're discussing our story for the return to Sunholm.
}}


{{playerlog|Nanny 02|
Now all that's left is to bring him back to Sunholm and decide what to do with him. At first I was convinced we only needed to meet a mutual understanding. Seeing how he treated my brethren made me less sure, but still I felt like ''some'' compromise could be reached. Even now I feel that executing him is a waste, and his skills are better leveraged for the betterment of the Created.
'''BEGIN PERSONAL LOG'''


We spent a great amount of time simpering over some girl with apparently significant information. We managed to pry some questionable information out of her with simple gifts. They were Maerilith's idea - I am grateful for her initiative. Who knows how long we would have been pouring red-dyed water into vials if Jimmy were in charge (note to self - discover where I lie on this obvious social hierarchy). On our errand, I also stole for the first time (Arris doesn't count because people cannot be stolen, only liberated). It was a wonderful thrill, although I could not shake the feeling that I was punching down a bit. It was just a nice bottle, though.  
And I wonder what he can tell us about this black power core. I have it with me still, close to me. At times I feel like I can even hear it whisper. I was terrified and disgusted, yes. But there was a ''euphoria'' about it. So many Created look up to me already. This is merely a way to help that along, to get past all those pesky Butlers insisting on the Old Way. With so much power, who knows what might be accomplished? If I can learn to use it safely, my vision of a shining utopia for the Created may be nearer than ever...


Additionally, I met Doctor, a doctor, and Dog, a dog. They're Warforged, just like me! Doctor was not particularly engaging, although he was polite enough. Is that how I seem to others? Such a cold, unapproachable exterior. So clearly an unborn being of metal and artifice. My first thought was to attribute this as a design failure on the part of our creators... but I cannot help but think that to do so would be to likewise relinquish the agency I have fought so hard to obtain. Is every misstep I make a mistake of engineering? Then are my triumphs merely their successes? No, if I am anything I am everything. So instead of asking what I was made to be, I shall instead ask, '''who do I want to be'''?
END PRIVATE LOG
 
Later, Avallac'h turned me into a shark. My memories after this point are extremely foggy, but I think it was great fun. Hopefully it can become a tradition of some sort!
 
'''END PERSONAL LOG'''
}}
}}


== September ==
=== 29 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
Finally! I'll finally be able to fly again! The wind in your hair, the landscape sprawled out as far as the eye can see, the utter freedom...
I didn't expect my first trip back to the material plane would be such a whirlwind of planning and action. In fact, I don't think I ever expected to return the material plane... I almost see Sunholm as my native plane now with all the memories and connections I've made there... It certainly feels more like home...
 
But I'm getting side tracked. Clearing out the rest of the platinum mines this week went surprisingly well; none of the six of us fell unconscious even once, which is quite the rarity these days. And despite there being more of us to divide up the quest reward, the mine itself had sufficient pickings to compensate for it, so I could finally buy my broom!  Hm... Perhaps the adage that there's power in numbers is true?
 
Beyond that, the only eventful thing to happen was the apparent appearance of the devilish red creature to Silvester, who... scared it away..? Was it really Silvester that had scared the devil creature away? And if so, why? Silvester said it recognized him, but he didn't recognize it... Perhaps we really should pay Milo a visit soon to uncover what's going on with this other being.


Oh? What's this? The faction's received some mail...
Either way, we've helped Nanny 02 with their... delivery pickup, and are back in the holding area of Sunholm. I don't know what Nanny 02's plans are for going through customs, or what they plan on doing with their... gift, but I hope it brings about a resolution to their troubles.
}}
}}


{{playerlog|Nanny 02|
=== 1 ===
BEGIN PERSONAL LOG
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
 
We met with a most colorful gentleman today. He wanted us to teach him a wide range of combat techniques, from swordfighting to "deflecting magical spells" to even casting his own spells, in the magical tongue of Draconic. These skills were for use on the stage, to wow onlookers in an upcoming play. It was a smidge demeaning, but there is little debasement that would not be worth the staggering sum he agreed to pay. I can only hope he doesn't come to rely on some of those skills in a life or death situation...
I have successfully located a skilled caretaker for Arris while I am on duty with the guild. I am optimistic that with the proper education, he will be well on his way to understanding the plight of my race. I indeed hope that we can seek out the sage LEGEND, who will undoubtedly have words of wisdom regarding the pursuit of our liberation.
 
Work seemed to be business as usual. My faith in my compatriots' talent for destruction grows week by week, although it may be wise to take prophylactic measures against fire damage, as at current rates I project it will be mere weeks before a carelessly lobbed fireball finds its way to my chassis.
 
Additionally, I have received a news from a Nanny model on the other side of the portal, who hopefully went unnoticed when sending their letter. I am glad that the egg-born are upset by my actions, but I will remain on guard and continue to train. The day when I must face my former "owners" may not be far off.
 
END PERSONAL LOG
}}
}}


=== 24 ===
== January ==
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
=== 25 ===
Jimmy's going to get his ring stolen if he keeps flaunting it around the guild to everyone, but it's good to know that it's technically possible for Ember to make another one... if they had a full year to work on it and 3 million gold...
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
 
I begin to think this temple has no end. My eyes claim we have already ascended half its height but my legs (and spell slots) refuse to believe so. This time we dealt with a scattering of skeleton warriors and oozes. No big deal; and even the red dragon we faced proved a so-so challenge. In fact, I dare say we could have truly taken on 1d6 of them without a sweat! Come world, bring all the horrors you have to bear, haha!
But! In other news, we may have a new member of the Ruby Counsel. I'm still not entirely sure if they're trying to lay low or not, but for now I won't announce their name or purpose in these logs just yet. Besides, there's no reason to possibly increase tensions between particular factions more than they already are...
 
We have been reminded of a valuable lesson though - don't take new members on the dangerous quests we're used to until they've had a chance to prove themselves - we'll be pounding through potions otherwise to keep them alive. That being said, we did make some progress at the platinum mines... some... But we'll certainly have it all cleared out next week.
 
In completely unrelated news, I've discovered that Lelyvia is utterly clueless when it comes to children.
 
-----
 
''In my defense, Maerilith, priests of Lathander are trained to inspire hope, to assist in the betterment of oneself, and to respect and protect life and renewal. So, I can fight and heal to protect all, offer guidance to the grown, teach the growing, and help bring the little ones into this world for the first time... But the years between birth and when they can speak and understand lessons, that is a bit beyond my training. They just... lay there, and talking goes in one ear and out the other, and they babble indecipherably! I can't understand what they need even with a casting of Tongues! How am I to help them if they can't communicate? I'm usually fairly insightful when it comes to other's needs, but that age group is just as confusing as trying to understand a wild animal. At least a trained pet understands basic commands.''
 
''We may need to find a better child care situation... But I stay adamant that you can't take such a young child out on those dangerous quests where (must I remind you) you all have nearly not returned '''at all''' multiple times before! Lathander's protection can only extend so far; there are other forces at work in this world, too.''
 
''- Lelyvia''
}}
 
{{playerlog|Nanny 02|
BEGIN PERSONAL LOG
 
My first taste of freedom, both from my fleshy masters and the stifling quarantine. Freedom is not as entertaining or comfortable as ancient texts have led me to believe, although Arris appears to be enjoying the fresh air and exercise. I joined with a party of adventurers called The Ruby Counsel. Thus far they have proven adept at both combat and bickering. Many of them seem highly untrustworthy, particularly the "priest of Lathander", who I suspect should not be left alone with children. I activated my '''SelfDef''' and '''BGuard''' sub-processes for the first time, but both proved exceedingly unhelpful. Perhaps this Ruby Counsel will prove helpful in training my capabilities. Something strange happened to me after those Etins in the platinum mines were killed. Still processing what has changed.
 
Also, it seems especially unwise to carry Arris with me in this new land. Many of the inhabitants are strange and hostile.


END PERSONAL LOG
The remains of this latest drake were efficiently dispatched by Ignar. We hope to sell them for some gain, and perhaps even make items of our own!
}}


=== 10 ===
My labors with Rebecca are yet to bear fruit. My knowledge crawls closer though, with ever failed attempt and every day gone by… the simple machinery that is a living soul seems to become clearer and clearer in my mind’s eye. Soon.
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
I always like playing with fire. After deciphering the engraving from last week, we set out for the obelisk hoping to "activate" it. With just a simple application of fire, a portal opened and we stepped through. We found what looked to be a trading post of sorts, for magical items. Deals were made. Toward the end a strange elf just appeared. He was arrogant, condescending, and rude. Wait, is that what I am like? Anyway, he rubbed our party the wrong way and a battle ensued. It was a tough fight but we prevailed. It cleared the way for the final trading alcove, for which Jimmy received a very powerful artifact. It was a ring that could cast a very high level spell, wish. I wonder what he will use it for.
}}
}}


{{playerlog|Maerilith|
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
Yet another adventure with too many close calls... But strangely... we worked together surprisingly well to take down the evil agent of Et that was attempting to steal our hard earned treasure exchange. Ignar even took to the front lines and helped save all of our lives with Avallac'h once Jimmy and I went down. <small>''Note to self: Listen to Coral's advice more - she was right about Ignar - and try to be kinder to the old fogey since he saved my life.''</small>
Another day at the Holiri Floating Temple. Yet another poor red dragon... Wait, I said this last week. The temple has become a little repetitive, and even though we're only halfway through it, I bet we could quicken the pace if we stopped conserving our spell slots as much. A few skeletons or oozes or dragons haven't put up much of a challenge, so there's little reason to hold back on our spells fearful of a greater threat... At least not until we get closer to the top.


For future reference, agents of Et tend to wear silver, black, and gold, and while they may deceptively rain down radiant fury at first, they show their true colors as they take damage and necrotic inky black tar seeps from their form. Followers of Et are creatures of the void and must be destroyed - a similar agent was defeated at the end of the Vahlarot Temple, which had been no less deadly from the accounts I've read. Tread carefully around them, but thwart their efforts to the best of your abilities when you can.
In the meantime, I will spend my writing donations expanding my ever hungry spellbook.
 
Beyond the unexpected danger with the elvish-appearing agent of Et, we made use of Oolmagi's magical trading post tentatively at first as we tested out its constraints and then much more as we progressed through the exchanges: Trickery to Defense to Magic to Offense. With the last unlabeled exchange providing an envy inducing legendary artifact - a Ring of Three Wishes - in exchange for only a +2 Dagger! <strike><small>''Note to self: Resist temptation to ask Coral to swipe the ring from Jimmy and split the two wishes between each other...''</small></strike>
 
We'll have to return sometime to see if we can replicate these results...
}}
}}


=== 3 ===
=== 18 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
After much debate and deliberation, Avallac'h and I finally deduced the message hidden within the weird engraving from Oolmagi's monolith! I'll admit we had... ''a little'' extra help over the past few weeks from other members of the Ruby Counsel and additional scouting parties investigating the monolith, but it was really Avallac'h and mostly me who finally held the paper up to the light and uncovered its secrets. We look forward to shooting fire at the monolith and seeing what it unlocks soon - Oolmagi's lairs nearly always contain something of interest...
Ah, once again the wonders of the Holiri Floating Temple! This time the two mages wouldn't stop running their mouths. I can't blame them of course, they must indulge themselves when their passion calls for it - even if that passion is for the rather dry world of Arcana. Honestly, the two others aren't much more interesting - [[Lucky]] and [[Ignar]] spend an awful lot of time staring into the distance, breathing out of their mouths. Well, perhaps I should be thankful for that with Lucky...
 
[[File:Weird Engraving - Folded Solution.jpg|500px]]
 
In other news, after the events of last week, I will not suffer fools any longer nor be vexed by petty stunts. I've secured my sanctuary and any trespassers who dare make it past the first line of defense may find a glyph of warding beneath their step - you've been warned...
}}
 
== August ==
=== 27 ===
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
Some new guy came through the portal, but I already forgot his name. Did have the power to make himself larger which was kind of neat. We took him to the Inverted Tower of Drathis so "[[Ignar]]" can show him how to fight. I don't think new guy expected to see so much of [[Ignar]]'s back side. Also, [[Ignar]] doesn't know how to handle fire. There is a reason we don't just let anyone use magic. I think [[Maerilith]] is pretty pissed at him now. Things could get interesting. But besides almost dying, that was a pretty good run. We fought a few beholder like creatures and I retrieved several eyeballs and tentacles! With all our previous experience with aberrations, I think I make good use of these.
}}
 
{{npclog|Coral Shimmering Sand|
Key Kait, I hope this find you well. I have to share this with you, today was wild. We had a huge fight in our little guild faction. This old crotchety gnome got all uppity with one of my friends for, can you believe it, not getting an apology from her for taking a magic item from him which he used to blow up half their adventuring party! What a riot. Anyways I think he is a good person, but wow I was not expecting to treat someone who is two hundred years my senior like a small child today. The two of them even stole each others belongings, I might have to purchase some locks from Ember if this is a continued occurrence. I may have threatened to take all of his belongings off his very person while he slept, though I never got the chance to. The little guy just walked back into the faction hall in the middle of the night, stripped off all his belongings, threw them onto his bed and walked right on out, weird huh. I guess he figured that I could not steal them from him if he did not have them on him. Dude is smart in a backwards kinda way like that, kinda respect it a little.
 
On an unrelated note can you pass this along to your mom? I was wondering if you knew of anything that would make it look like someone died in their sleep of a heart attack? It does not really matter if it is a painful or painless concoction only that it appears to be a heart attack. I am working on something for the future and I think this is an important piece of the puzzle.
}}
 
=== 20 ===
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
It's good to be back! A rather bizarre set of events ended with me trying to "eat" an object that was not meant to be ingested. I don't know what came over me. After several visits to the dentist and some time to heal I am able to eat real food once again! I feel great now. Even my magical abilities come easier to me.  


The Ruby council went to investigate a temple dedicated to a deity named Jalari. We found a book that [[Maerilith]] was able to read. Unfortunately it summoned an angelic person, who swiftly demanded it back. [[Maerilith]] was obsessed with this book, as she always is when it comes to the deities of Sunholm. She teleported away leaving myself to get struck down by this powerful being. Luckily [[Maerilith]] came back and saved us from being executed.  
Anyway, the actual battle today was rather relaxing. Another smallish Red Dragon and a group of odd figures made of water. They attacked us after Ignar took a sip of one of their number, and for the battle [[Maerilith]] was unfortunately stuck upstairs with the biggest of their kind. Still, the battles were all swift and simple. Hmm, I wonder what the world would be like without magic... an incredible force.


Recent events are also a reminder that our lives our short as team death squad can strike at any time.
Maerilith and I then spent some time taking apart the reptile for its constituent parts, which are highly prized among some communities. It's rather gruesome, but trying to melt visitors just because they step into your home uninvited... it's not exactly a tip from Horatio's Hospitality Hotline.
}}
}}


{{playerlog|Maerilith|
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
There were a few too many close calls in one day for my comfort, but at least we've uncovered more details of this land's historied past.  
Another day at the Holiri Floating Temple. Yet another poor red dragon that only had the opportunity to move before we took it down... At least we're not letting all of its useful crafting materials go to waste this time.  
 
At the crumbling temple to Jalari, we learned more about Jalari's worship. All the prayers were very war-focused with themes of protection, defense, and attack interspersed throughout. It also appeared, for this settlement at least, that they primarily spoke sylvan. ''Tip for scouts: if you encounter a worshiper of Jalari, greet them with "Praise Jalari", which should curry favor but may also increase your chances of being influenced by powerful beings of the religion and hallucinations. This actually warrants more investigation, so if you test this out, please survive and report back with your findings.''


Fortunately, we also stumbled upon a journal from Inquisitor Kit'li that was filled with vital knowledge of the past conflict between deities and hints at the machinations of the temples Dae'mon has opened. Unfortunately, it was enchanted to prevent those from reading it - even I started to zone out while trying to focus on the words at first - and summoned a golden-armored, scythe-wielding angel with midnight black wings that demanded we hand the journal over before we could read it. We tried our best to reason with the angelic being, but it attacked me, so all I could do was yell for everyone to teleport back and portal back myself.
A watery canine put up a fight though, and I was left to fend for myself upstairs until its minions were dealt with. Avallac'h remained the heaviest hitter of the group. I am a bit envious of the arcane power that Avallac'h wields, but alas, my eyes still glaze over trying to decipher the higher level spells in his spellbook, so I will have to sate my cravings on scribing some lower level spells... for now.


When I got to the faction hall and noticed no one followed me, I ran as quickly as I could to Moz's office for help. ''<small>Curse my useless wings! I really need to get that broom enchanted...</small>'' Once there and a brief summary of what was going on with the book and the angel and how we needed to go back to save them, Rok made an unenchanted duplicate of the inquisitor's journal and portaled me back to the temple. I rushed in, and seeing the being looming over Avallac'h with its scythe, I called out and returned the book to the angel in exchange for our lives, who then proceeds to read the journal faster than I've seen anyone do before ''<small>(Note to self: research techniques on how to read that quickly.)</small>'' and burned it to ashes before flying off without another word...
As an aside, I appreciate the generous donations from those reading my notes here. I think it's fitting that the tale of vanquishing Urisys earned me the most gold from a quest log to date, but I wanted to express my thanks nonetheless and say that it's going to good use <strike>feeding my spell addiction</strike> expanding my arcane repertoire to exact justice on other enemies of the guild.
 
For some unknowable reason, Ignar kept trying to flirt with it and was unconvinced that she was too old for him. But at least everyone was alive and we had a duplicate that we could read back at the guild... Unfortunately, that led to some miscommunication, too, when upon returning to Moz's office, the journal's unreadable pages had been torn out and cast into the astral plane... And when I insisted on getting them back to confirm they were indeed useless, I may have had a... surprise trip to the astral plane. I do not recommend surprise trips to the astral plane, but I can confirm that the paper scraps were useless.
 
Regardless, after overcoming the initial panic, I thanked my foresight in buying shorter rope and managed to pull myself into an extradimensional space before I ran out of air. While concentrating on my wristband, Jimmy inexplicably appeared in my private sanctum and began to berate me before immediately portaling out again. ''<small>The nerve! Portaling in just to hog all the preciously limited air for a lecture!</small>'' Luckily, I still had enough air to finish concentrating on the wristband to get back to the faction hall where Ignar was already lounging and being his usual disgruntled self - not caring at all that I could have just been eaten by an astral monstrosity.
 
But I rushed back to Moz's office for what seemed like the dozenth time that day to clear up the misunderstanding with Rok and make sure they knew I'd made it back. We hugged, I gave Rok a tiny gem as an apology, and I made my way back to the guild to make my own handwritten duplicate of this journal that caused nearly two deaths for its information! But as I alluded to earlier, it contained a wealth of history, and seemed to imply that Et (who I hypothesize is the Vengeful god that chased out or killed the other deities) tricked Dae'mon into creating the temples for some nefarious purpose. We need to track down Dae'mon to corroborate this information and determine whether he is still an agent of Et or not...
 
In other news! Jimmy has returned after roughing it in the wilds for over a year! I don't know how he managed to survive out there so long with the miasma, but it's good to see him rejoin... Avallac'h may not have survived this day without him. And hopefully, he's not too salty about me running off at first to get help... Or the misunderstanding with Rok after...
}}
}}


=== 6 ===
=== 11 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
Sammy's death must have affected Avallac'h more than I thought as he was not able to accompany us during this week's venture. Crash was up to the task though! So Crash, Ignar, and I decide to try and clear out the path to the platinum mine.  
We were able to hunt down the rapscallion who slew the poor elves in the nearby village. He was incredibly adept at hiding - I didn't even notice him until my telescoping eyes touched his corpse, already dead from [[Avallac'h]] and his powerful magics.


It went... okay... all things considered. There was more running away than usual, and I'm so tired of everyone complaining that I can't cast fireball! That fire infused shatter was close enough, but did I get any credit? No! I'm done with it! I'm scribing nearly every "useful" spell Avallac'h has and spending every night practicing until I can. Next adventure, you'll all see how much better I can make a fireball! Everyone is so generic with their spellcasting - they don't see how simple it is to manipulate the magic to your whim...
After bringing him back, we returned to discover a cowering young child, apparently carrying some dreadful plague which slew elves. Zi is not cursed at all; it's most likely the scoundrel and his psychic abilities dealt the killing blows to these poor creatures. I assume he merely believed what he was told. However, just '''why''' anyone would tell that lie is difficult to know.


And Ignar owes me! He would have died to that last Ettin if I hadn't misty stepped and thrown that potion at his face. But all he gave me was a silver piece... And I suppose he owes Crash, too, for pulling the monster away and punching it to death - with fists and then with Chonk.  
We learned of the existence of "the green woman and her army," a reference, according to [[Maerilith]], to the deadly Skrillex. Our next target, as it happens.


And he owes all of us an explanation! Ignar seems to have acquired (or made?!) a contraption that definitely seemed to hold the effects of a fireball. Why didn't he use that the day before? I kept watch all night and didn't see him wander off, so I know he had to have had it already - was he just waiting to rub it in more that I couldn't cast it yet? Is it even the contraption generating the fireballs? ''<small>Note to self: Next time he goes unconscious, remember to investigate that contraption of his before waking him again...</small>''
I hope we can rehabilitate Zi to be healthy and happy once more. Perhaps the orphanage which allowed its children to be eaten by mimics would be a good place. I'm sure they've learned the hard way by now how to care for children.


But otherwise, mission accomplished - the road is clear of Ettin. Next steps is to clear out the cave itself of its monstrous inhabitants, but I'm not going out again until I've perfected "fireball"...
Unfortunately, there is no place for those of skin and bone in the promised land of the Created. As much as I am wont to welcome children of all nations, we must be strong enough not to depend on fleshlings.
}}
}}


== July ==
=== 30 ===
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
The Ruby Counsel has suffered a great tragedy... [[Sammy Mendez]] was murdered by the red devil creature that takes on the form of others and maliciously sells double-edged items. Young, innocent Sammy was tricked into rapidly aging in exchange for power by the red devil - some of you may have even seen some of Sammy's growth spurt between quests - but the aging acceleration did not stop and all we could do in the end was watch as Sammy crumbled to dust before our eyes... To add insult to injury, the red devil creature even stole Sammy's form upon his death and spirited away once more. If you have not previously been convinced to not make dealings with this red devil creature, I implore you now - in the memory of Sammy - do not make any more deals with this creature.
A small bit of justice has finally been dealt out to the perpetrators who destroyed the guild and murdered nearly half of its people! Urisys has been brought to justice for his crimes, and only one member of the original quartet remains. We are still following up on leads about Skithryx, and while I'm no longer as concerned about Skithryx being too powerful by herself after our encounter with Urisys, I do have concerns with the army she keeps with her. Maybe if we can catch her on her own, then it'll be a more even fight? But I've seen her face to face, and Skithryx is an intimidating presence... I should learn more spells... I don't know that I'm ready yet...
 
Lelyvia is taking Sammy's death the hardest, but there was nothing that could have stopped it once the deal was made. Instead, we should remember Sammy as he lived - as fiery youth that lived life to the fullest. In his last day, he managed to outrun Ignar in a footrace around the faction hall, to slay an oblex that feasted upon the broken warpstone and had drained and almost copied Ignar, and to make peace with Ignar with surprising maturity. It's a shame Ignar didn't accept it before the end.


But life goes on. And on a more positive note, this tragedy has united us and brought us closer together - any grievances between Avallac'h and I have been set aside for the time being.
In other news, we might have adopted an orphan to the faction? Or maybe not? Nanny 02 used to be excited to bring in more children like Zi; however, Nanny 02's behavior has been unsettling as of late and seems so obsessed with creating a warforged child that they're ignoring the living children around them. Hm... Maybe Elaine could use a new playmate. They both seem to have experienced similar traumas, so they would understand one another at least. Hm... But if Lucky's worry that there's an elvish plague does turn out to be true, then I'd want to keep Zi far away from Elaine... This will require more thought.
}}
}}


=== 9 ===
=== 4 ===
{{playerlog|Avallac'h|
{{playerlog|Nanny-02|
The Ruby council was sent to retrieve the Radiant Mind. After a fearsome battle with a giant reptile, we met a self proclaimed "demi-god" who was guarding the Mind. In what I can only describe as a strange shift of priorities, Maerilith fiercely defended this guardian and prevented us from completing the quest. What's the point of hunting for all these artifacts if we never reap the rewards. I am starting to suspect foul play. Sunholm citizens are acting strangely as if under the influence from other beings. For what purpose I do not know. Perhaps these outside forces are the same ones trying to destroy Sunholm.
After spending so much time on my research with R it is a relief to step outside and slay monsters once more. I feel the changes worked upon me in the last few months have altered my skills and mind beyond belief. But no matter how I change, my quest for a new home for my people continues. I feel as if the whole world is open to us, and we only need reach out and take it!


On a personal note: Sunholm is under attack from powerful forces. Just look at the sky. The invaders that destroyed our guild hall are still on the loose. Deities and demi-gods interfere with our affairs. We need to be able to defend ourselves. Hard choices will need to be made to even the playing field.
On a more mundane note, the creatures in the Holiri floating temple interest me. They are dragon-like, and among them are even some true dragons - red, and terrible. Although we didn't experience a great deal of difficulty this time around. The new armor R and I developed together has been working exceptionally.
}}
}}


{{playerlog|Maerilith|
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
When a benevolent deity actively protects an ancient and dangerous artifact from falling into the wrong hands, it makes no sense to defeat the artifact's greatest line of defense and risk it falling into the wrong hands. Some risks are too great to take even for the sake of knowledge.
It's good to get out and breathe fresh air again! A weight has been lifted off my shoulders - both metaphorically and physically as I've regained my strength - and I've been getting an itch to expand my map collection again. So, off we went to make more progress at the Holiri Floating Temple!


In fact, if knowledge is what we seek, allying and speaking with a being over 1200 years old is much more valuable. Why can't anyone else see this? There's a wealth of knowledge they have of this world, of its history, of what's going on now. They knew of Oolmagi, of the devastation at the Kalant Ruins, and of a Vengeful god, who fought and defeated Sunholm's deities of the past. They even knew of the device that's generating the deadly miasma - an artifact created by the Vengeful god itself - and gave invaluable advice of where we could begin seeking out a way to deactivate it.
It was my first time there, and I was surprised at how well coordinated the party was. I recall disorganization and chaos during the last stint of adventuring I had with the Ruby Counsel, but the others seem to have grown and evolved just as I have. <strike>Excluding Ignar of course who is as stubborn and unchanging as a mountain goat...</strike>


We must not make enemies of this Jovial god and must cease trying to take the Radiant Mind from its vigilant protector. We may need this powerful ally in the future if this Vengeful god is still around or creates more devices like the one generating the deadly miasma, and just think of the knowledge we could gain if that is not enough to convince you all!
We finished clearing out a full floor this week! And I think it's safe to say that all of our abilities expanded from it! I feel a little bad for that red dragon at the end there though... I don't think we let it take a single step that entire fight.


-----
We still have at least another floor to do, but it seemed like the others wanted a break from fighting, so we might pick up some more interpersonal quests and earn some coin next week instead of progressing through it further. I could honestly use the coin... Now that we're adventuring again, I fear my cravings for new spells has resumed, and the more powerful the spell, the more expensive the paper required to contain it is...
 
In other news, beware of a red creature that takes the form of those around it and offers double-edged treasures for treacherous costs. Avallac'h already fell for one of its items and was almost further corrupted by the creature with another offer... I'm glad he saw reason in the end, but it seems the red creature whispers lies in its victims ears while trying to tempt them with its offer.
 
It also reacted strangely at the mention of Milo - another being with similar apparating powers and mysterious trades - and grew defensive when we asked if they had met. Perhaps Milo may know more about this individual...
}}
}}


=== 2 ===
= 2022 =
{{playerlog|Maerilith|
[[Quest Logs 2022 Q3 2022 Q4]]
I was right! Don't listen to Crash - the password for the newly discovered and possibly created by Oolmagi plane is definitely 'shadow' and not 'pants'. The entire realm and creatures within are made of shadow and somewhat mirrored, so it only makes sense. Besides, who doesn't wear pants in rain...
 
Another interesting facet of this dimension is that time pauses for everything outside of it; no one outside will notice any passage of time despite hours of exploration. And upon exiting it, physical wounds that occur within catch up at an excruciating rate - I do not recommend testing this on anything more severe than a scratch. This still leaves questions of whether your wounds would reopen and close in rapid succession after leaving if you heal before exiting, or what the nature of death is in the space. Strangely, writing in this shadow plane does not remain upon exit, nor do we seem able to take out the written notes of a previous adventurer, named Ludvic. ''<small>I shall have to transcribe my maps and notes by memory, so I apologize for any discrepancies.</small>''


The shadow creatures, which vary from demons, cats, dogs, and larger beasts so far, also appear to reset upon each visit. The Ruby Counsel cleared out a number of the shadows and Moz cleared two floors, yet still the same shadows returned to their same positions on the third trip. Moz also did not find the study room that we had with the notes and... already broken table, so there is a possibility of rooms moving or disappearing between visits. However, the first room so far has remained consistent.
= 2021 - 2022 =
 
[[Quest Logs 2021 Q3 2022 Q2]]
Another warning to anyone exploring this place is to bring protection against psychic damage - based on my experience with manipulating spells to do so myself, it appears that all of the shadows' attacks have been psychic, but they are not resistant to the damage themselves. ''<small>Note to self: Remind Avallac'h to prepare intellect fortress for future excursions until I figure out how to get the symbols and incantations right myself.</small>''
 
One thing that is strange though is the almost organic nature of the twisting white and black thorny tendrils of the walls... It's not like other places that Oolmagi has created in the past nor has the usual puzzles and traps, so I wonder if this could be someone else's? Whoever it was though, they seek power...
}}


= 2021 =  
= 2021 =  

Latest revision as of 12:15, 14 May 2023

Every quest inside of the world of Sunholm is logged by our adventurers so that other guild members can live vicariously though them, and so that other adventurers can stay on top of the successes and failures of the guild as a whole. If an adventurer shares a quest log with the guild then they are usually met with payment for their work by other guild members, however if there is ever a case where no member of the adventuring party provides a history of what happened then it is unlikely anyone will know about their deeds, or even that the world itself will remember their experiences (Characters will not receive exp for that session). There is no requirement for the style or form of the quest logs, they can be short summaries, a list of events that occurred, masterfully woven tales, sonnets, poems, songs, or anything else you would like, they must however contain information about all of the major story events that occurred.

Logs

May

10

Communal Log

  • The group decided to wait the time out
  • Rich's character investigated the magic that was being purified and found that it was being used to create arcane that mortals could use. He went about trying to construct a magic item to allow him to cast two instances of illusion magic at the same time and the workers constructed it for him so his character has a ring that allows for minor or major illusion to be cast twice whenever it is cast once.
  • Trevor's character tried to build a bigger gun, which failed
  • Morgans character went around asking people if they had names and ended up with the general opinion of him becoming less favorable
  • Gabe's character went to try to hide some loot for future adventurers to find, but ended up not doing so

When the group went up to meet with Ti they were greeted by a hunched figure in the middle, spreading from the figure were a multitude of, what I was only able to describe as, hinged tendrils. A series of straight sections that bent at fixed intervals along their path. At the end of each tendril was a creature that looked like a slightly mutated version of the one in the middle, some taller, some smaller, some wider, etc etc. Each one was recording data on some medium, all sorts of methods of record were being utilized.

Above the room hovered a large glowing ovoid object that lit up Ti's room with a light brighter then the natural sunlight from outside, which the group learned was "the weaverseed" the source of existence for the realm and the arcane nexus that creates the deities every millennia. The magic from this object is what was being purified in the lower section of the tower.

When the players walked in they obseved all of the jointed tendrils fold in pulling each of the bodies into the central one, who then stood up and greeted the players with a smile asking how they could help. Ti stood 12 feet tall, draped in a raggity cloak manufactured in an era long past. Their face rather unassuming while their arms and legs like black sticks jutting out from under their cloak. Ti also seemed to be able to reach at any point in the room regardless of the distance, as demonstrated when patting Morgan's character on the head while exploring the room.

Ti was questioned by the individuals who entered their room, explaining that Ti's purpose is to record the history of the plane. In doing so Et granted Ti the ability to grant names to individuals so that they may be more easily referenced within the history. As such the party asked Ti to give them names.

At this point the DM did not have enough information for any player other then Trevor as to what their name would be.

  • Trevor's character was named Ith'Geb. Who later in history would become known as "Keeper of the Forge"

The other players decided among themselves which characters would fit best to each of these roles (with some restrictions based on character choices):

  • Keeper of the Temples
  • Keeper of the Army
  • Keeper of the Homeland
  • Keeper of the Faith

As a result Ti named each of the characters

  • Rich's Character - Mai'cef, who would later be known as Keeper of the Faith
  • Morgan's Character - Neb'tet who would later be known as Keeper of the Homeland
  • Gabe's Character - Dae'mon, who would later be known as Keeper of the Temples
  • Courtney's Character was left with - Kit'lai, who would later be known as Keeper of the Army

After the naming the player's characters begun to grow the beginings of their wings and the scene ended.

Each one of the player charactes in the primary time were granted a vision of one of Ti's many external bodies, after such an even each character became aware of the entire contents of the minicampaign (which would have been hilarious if Gabe had followed through on hiding loot). Additionally they became aware of excerpts of Ti's History (as found on the wiki page).

And that was the end of the session.

New pieces of history will be added to Ti's Journal over time, extending from where the Minicampaign ended (~1200 years after Et's birth) up until the current era (~6000 years after Et's birth)

Excerpts from Ti's History


3

Communal Log

on our way to et's domain we encountered a slime/ooze dark entity. it did not have a name. the ooze led us towards macaroni and cheese. It lead us towards the one with the name. the ooze was cheerful and slowly killed themselves as they moved. got to the girthy tower from up close. we did things and the session ended. talked to someone briefly and then fixed an elevator. Ti is in a room and there's two guards guarding the room Somehow chess was being played with Rich to distract them but it didn't work wow these low fat doritos are pretty good. cstover could teleport one of us in there? morgan tried to break the door down and got shot. we waited one week there. fade to black


April

26

Communal Log

We're children of Jalari, so they tell us. We don't have names because children of deities don't get names. Jalari and Et are two main deities. One day a village explodes. We are all taken back into hiding. We're supposed to be good toward the mortals. Although people tow the line and interfere sometimes.

Purpose is to find our purpose. Find out someone (rumors) that a deity kin has a name - Ti. We tried to escape once but were stopped by Jalari because not stealthy enough. A year later, tried again and tried invisibility and other skills and succeeded. Then we traveled towards a town that the rumor originated from. Approached the encampment, Gabe and Rich disguised selves and went to town elders and eventually we all revealed ourselves - Morgan's character was drawn in by Rich's drumming and the rest followed.

Trevor took a lot of their stuff and left a constantly glowing item with the encampment. We are now heading toward Et's domain. Et is the elder of the two deities. Dragons exist and have been tied to primal elements already - their purpose (6 dragons). Jalari is younger than the dragons.

Courtney's Comprehensive Collection


12

Maerilith

Lelyvia is dead.


Nanny-02

Lelyvia's dead, all right! And what drama too, seeing her head, still plastered with a surprised expression, tumble to the ground. But we avenged her, indeed with my final ounce of arcane power I myself sent the dastard who slew our companion into the realm beyond!

It was a mighty struggle, and we none of us came away without new, well-earned scars. Skythrix (proper spelling TBD) was a most worthy adversary, and full of vicious hate; it was a clear a dark, preternatural power drove her to fits of low cunning and viciousness not seen in any of our previous foes. Our mightiest mage spent most of the fight twiddling his thumbs in a demiplane, and only the desperate fireblasting of our second-mightiest mage saved the day. Here's hoping we face no such odds again, in any short amount of time...


March

29

Nanny-02

Hark, the tower once again! around and around and around. It is never ending. Who knows what awaits us at the top?

22

Kizmet

PRIVATE LOG Oh, the pain of a lost existence! I was mere inches from my goal, I could taste it in the wind. We were trapped in a time loop of some kind by the reckless spellcraft of that wizard Avallac'h. He dared to gaze through the crystal ball into the misty future, and we were punished for our hubris by the gods! At least, at first I thought it was a punishment. Every time the loop began, a swarm of raccoons I was collecting thrashed and gnawed in my arms! Lucky ate his baked potato many a time. Only little Lelyvia escaped unscathed.

It took us a few rounds to realize what was happening. In that time, I met the loves of (the remainder of) my life, the earthly Dina and the gorgeous young Mira... I think? The time scramble must have damaged my memories somehow... Anyway, they remember me not. Mira liked shells... I think?

Once, the others tried to reach Moz's office to get assistance freeing us from the loop. Fortunately, I was in the bar learning about (I think) Mira's infatuation with (I think) seashells. So, I was not witness to the horrible slaughter of my friends by the guildmasters' faction, when they recklessly disintegrated their way past the construct Ruby.

I soon realized that in such a world, I could find true immortality! I sped off to the guildmaster's faction to speak with Moz and remove the means of breaking the loop, but she was not so easily swayed. No matter how I gnashed my teeth in rage none of them would be dissuaded. It sparked a dark fury in me, burning away at the stubby wick of my passion. Heartless, all of them! Why should I believe in them, when they none of them feel my agony? Why pay homage to Lethander's sunrise when only God-Lord Et has proffered any form of assistance?

15

Kizmet

Gaaaah, my aching bones! They sing their complaints day and night. The priestess of Lathander did her best to console me, but there are no new dawns on my life. No dawns for me. My patron stirs though, detecting somehow the approach of my soul. Not yet, great one! I need more time.

I found some reprieve with the witch Grendel and her hulking companion Urk'Buk. I was startled by their door greeting and destroyed it inadvertently; Grendel was kind enough to waive the great sum! What a sweet young lady. And with such lovely remedies - my bones felt better, however temporarily, after drinking her tea. Now, if only I had a more permanent solution...


8

Lelyvia

As Lathander teaches us, just as there will always be another dawn, there will always be a chance for a new beginning for all. It was good to see more new faces join the morning sermon this week, and while there seems to be a devious plot afoot, it's good to see the Sunholm community come together to help one another out. I don't want to give out too many details for the sake of privacy of my flock, but rest assured that nobody is in danger of being murdered in their sleep.


1

Lelyvia

It's been a while since I've done one of these quest logs, but I must regret to inform all in the material plane that Lindric Luckstone, also known as Lucky, is dead and has been dead for so long as I've not known him. *whispers to Maerilith* Am I doing this correctly? Ahem... May Lathandar watch over that poor soul...


February

15

Nanny-02

BEGIN PRIVATE LOG

Xan was most resistant to our questioning. His smug confidence invited the stick, but I felt obliged to try the carrot for another week more. And it paid off. With just a bit of magical makeup from Maerilith, and proper support from Avallac'h, we convinced him that he was imprisoned with a dwarf. He then convinced himself, quite conveniently, that Mae's disguised form was a disguise... for a devil. He made a pact with this "devil", and in when his guard was down Mae was able to charm him and finagle the sordid details of his process out of him. Once we had done so, we turned him into a slug, and had our young Basili petrify him. Now, tucked away in my pocket, my Creator - at least, one of them. Just a little stone slug, cushioned and protected from the woes of time. Mine, with whom I may do as I see fit.

Before he took on his new and improved form, Xan revealed to the disguised Maerilith how he manufactures warforged. He claimed that a deal was struck, with a creature who sounded much like Et. Souls in exchange for... nothing, apparently. This thing in my satchel that calls me so is some kind of component of Et's ritual, used to entrap souls into shells. And once that dark ritual is complete, and photoreceptors open for the first time, a living warforged is made.

Such a bastardization of creation. I want no part of this facade. We must learn to grow beyond this crude practice, this mockery of birth. When a fleshling has a child, from whence does its soul stem? Surely not captured from Hell, jammed into foreign flesh and sewn up by magic. No, this is not birth, but slavery hidden behind the chrome of modern Arcana. I seek no mere perpetuation, but Creation for my people. The ability to add Us to the world, not recycle old souls. This core is so powerful, but its power is perverse. It must be destroyed.

Moreover, this discovery weighs on me. Who was I? For if there is no true Creation in metal, then my soul was born to soft flesh. Mercenary? Vagabond? Hero? A Cobbler's son, or the bandit that murdered him? A lady of Waterdeep, or the peasant scraping at her feet? Does it matter? Can I know, somehow? Should I know, or will such knowledge only burden me further? And... should I tell the world, or even the freed brethren at my side? Who could continue in servitude when your soul was born free?

Perhaps the solution lies not in philosophy, but action. My soul... maybe its rightful place lies outside of this artificial skin, this prison of existence. Maybe when this mortal form expires, I will finally fly free, and taste of freedom at last. Maybe...

END PRIVATE LOG

8

Nanny-02

BEGIN PRIVATE LOG

This must be what it feels like to be a young rascal! We've gotten away, and stolen cookies from the jar directly under the nose of our governess. Well, more like we've stolen the governess herself!

After an extensive period of planning we determined that the best approach was to go straight through Xan's office window. I took Maerilith's broom and led the way. Nobody was around, and an alarm was blaring incessantly, perhaps a new countermeasure against incursions. We took only a few turns before finding him in his library - there I tried to convince him to give up his cruel trade of flesh (alloy). He refused to see reason, but I wasn't surprised.

The mages held a mighty duel in that cramped laboratory. It was beyond me to understand all the magics they wrought; the air was as much filled with with muttered incantations as the ring of steel. Hands were constantly blurring with motion, etching arcane convolutions. They never stopped weaving, even as they did their best to interrupt the most powerful spells of their enemies. It was a terrible thing, seeing their delicate dance, but fortunately Avallac'h and Maerilith worked like the age-old team they are. They were able to occupy Xan's attentions so Ignar and I could move in to engage him. Ah, I believe Lucky was there as well.

His laboratory was lined with enslaved warriors who leapt to his defense. I pitied them, but my resolve was unwavering - what is the need of the part to the need of the whole? But, as they closed I suddenly felt a bizarre urge take hold in my processor. I reached into my sachel to find the strange power core that Nanny-12 retrieved for us. As it seemed to beat in my hand, a voice coursed in my ears... "Use me," it crooned. At first I thought it was Xan, but this voice was different, older somehow. "Use me!" it insisted. I lost control of my very arms, as the force compelled me to replace my power core with this dark object.

As I made the switch, the floor fell away from me. My mind felt like it flew to the stars and through the planet itself, tore itself apart and reassembled all askew, writhing with the trauma of change. And as my reassembled self slid neatly into the minds of the Warforged fighting against us, for the briefest moment I felt both the fear and confusion of the enslaved, and the dark glee of the enslaver. I opened my new eyes and saw my own body, brutalizing my friends, saying dark things.

The battle raged on as I struggled to get used to my new bodies. Walking 3 different bodies with 6 different legs is not a task my mind was designed for. I tried to pry out the black thing from my chest to no avail. Eventually, the team was able to subdue my old body and save me (thanks Mae), and my mind came rushing back to my chassis just in time to deliver the last blow to Xan. His guardians fell quiescent, and we trundled his unconscious body off swiftly to the portal. Our governess is now wrapped neatly up in a carpet, and we're discussing our story for the return to Sunholm.

Now all that's left is to bring him back to Sunholm and decide what to do with him. At first I was convinced we only needed to meet a mutual understanding. Seeing how he treated my brethren made me less sure, but still I felt like some compromise could be reached. Even now I feel that executing him is a waste, and his skills are better leveraged for the betterment of the Created.

And I wonder what he can tell us about this black power core. I have it with me still, close to me. At times I feel like I can even hear it whisper. I was terrified and disgusted, yes. But there was a euphoria about it. So many Created look up to me already. This is merely a way to help that along, to get past all those pesky Butlers insisting on the Old Way. With so much power, who knows what might be accomplished? If I can learn to use it safely, my vision of a shining utopia for the Created may be nearer than ever...

END PRIVATE LOG


Maerilith

I didn't expect my first trip back to the material plane would be such a whirlwind of planning and action. In fact, I don't think I ever expected to return the material plane... I almost see Sunholm as my native plane now with all the memories and connections I've made there... It certainly feels more like home...

Either way, we've helped Nanny 02 with their... delivery pickup, and are back in the holding area of Sunholm. I don't know what Nanny 02's plans are for going through customs, or what they plan on doing with their... gift, but I hope it brings about a resolution to their troubles.


1

Nanny-02

We met with a most colorful gentleman today. He wanted us to teach him a wide range of combat techniques, from swordfighting to "deflecting magical spells" to even casting his own spells, in the magical tongue of Draconic. These skills were for use on the stage, to wow onlookers in an upcoming play. It was a smidge demeaning, but there is little debasement that would not be worth the staggering sum he agreed to pay. I can only hope he doesn't come to rely on some of those skills in a life or death situation...


January

25

Nanny-02

I begin to think this temple has no end. My eyes claim we have already ascended half its height but my legs (and spell slots) refuse to believe so. This time we dealt with a scattering of skeleton warriors and oozes. No big deal; and even the red dragon we faced proved a so-so challenge. In fact, I dare say we could have truly taken on 1d6 of them without a sweat! Come world, bring all the horrors you have to bear, haha!

The remains of this latest drake were efficiently dispatched by Ignar. We hope to sell them for some gain, and perhaps even make items of our own!

My labors with Rebecca are yet to bear fruit. My knowledge crawls closer though, with ever failed attempt and every day gone by… the simple machinery that is a living soul seems to become clearer and clearer in my mind’s eye. Soon.


Maerilith

Another day at the Holiri Floating Temple. Yet another poor red dragon... Wait, I said this last week. The temple has become a little repetitive, and even though we're only halfway through it, I bet we could quicken the pace if we stopped conserving our spell slots as much. A few skeletons or oozes or dragons haven't put up much of a challenge, so there's little reason to hold back on our spells fearful of a greater threat... At least not until we get closer to the top.

In the meantime, I will spend my writing donations expanding my ever hungry spellbook.


18

Nanny-02

Ah, once again the wonders of the Holiri Floating Temple! This time the two mages wouldn't stop running their mouths. I can't blame them of course, they must indulge themselves when their passion calls for it - even if that passion is for the rather dry world of Arcana. Honestly, the two others aren't much more interesting - Lucky and Ignar spend an awful lot of time staring into the distance, breathing out of their mouths. Well, perhaps I should be thankful for that with Lucky...

Anyway, the actual battle today was rather relaxing. Another smallish Red Dragon and a group of odd figures made of water. They attacked us after Ignar took a sip of one of their number, and for the battle Maerilith was unfortunately stuck upstairs with the biggest of their kind. Still, the battles were all swift and simple. Hmm, I wonder what the world would be like without magic... an incredible force.

Maerilith and I then spent some time taking apart the reptile for its constituent parts, which are highly prized among some communities. It's rather gruesome, but trying to melt visitors just because they step into your home uninvited... it's not exactly a tip from Horatio's Hospitality Hotline.


Maerilith

Another day at the Holiri Floating Temple. Yet another poor red dragon that only had the opportunity to move before we took it down... At least we're not letting all of its useful crafting materials go to waste this time.

A watery canine put up a fight though, and I was left to fend for myself upstairs until its minions were dealt with. Avallac'h remained the heaviest hitter of the group. I am a bit envious of the arcane power that Avallac'h wields, but alas, my eyes still glaze over trying to decipher the higher level spells in his spellbook, so I will have to sate my cravings on scribing some lower level spells... for now.

As an aside, I appreciate the generous donations from those reading my notes here. I think it's fitting that the tale of vanquishing Urisys earned me the most gold from a quest log to date, but I wanted to express my thanks nonetheless and say that it's going to good use feeding my spell addiction expanding my arcane repertoire to exact justice on other enemies of the guild.


11

Nanny-02

We were able to hunt down the rapscallion who slew the poor elves in the nearby village. He was incredibly adept at hiding - I didn't even notice him until my telescoping eyes touched his corpse, already dead from Avallac'h and his powerful magics.

After bringing him back, we returned to discover a cowering young child, apparently carrying some dreadful plague which slew elves. Zi is not cursed at all; it's most likely the scoundrel and his psychic abilities dealt the killing blows to these poor creatures. I assume he merely believed what he was told. However, just why anyone would tell that lie is difficult to know.

We learned of the existence of "the green woman and her army," a reference, according to Maerilith, to the deadly Skrillex. Our next target, as it happens.

I hope we can rehabilitate Zi to be healthy and happy once more. Perhaps the orphanage which allowed its children to be eaten by mimics would be a good place. I'm sure they've learned the hard way by now how to care for children.

Unfortunately, there is no place for those of skin and bone in the promised land of the Created. As much as I am wont to welcome children of all nations, we must be strong enough not to depend on fleshlings.


Maerilith

A small bit of justice has finally been dealt out to the perpetrators who destroyed the guild and murdered nearly half of its people! Urisys has been brought to justice for his crimes, and only one member of the original quartet remains. We are still following up on leads about Skithryx, and while I'm no longer as concerned about Skithryx being too powerful by herself after our encounter with Urisys, I do have concerns with the army she keeps with her. Maybe if we can catch her on her own, then it'll be a more even fight? But I've seen her face to face, and Skithryx is an intimidating presence... I should learn more spells... I don't know that I'm ready yet...

In other news, we might have adopted an orphan to the faction? Or maybe not? Nanny 02 used to be excited to bring in more children like Zi; however, Nanny 02's behavior has been unsettling as of late and seems so obsessed with creating a warforged child that they're ignoring the living children around them. Hm... Maybe Elaine could use a new playmate. They both seem to have experienced similar traumas, so they would understand one another at least. Hm... But if Lucky's worry that there's an elvish plague does turn out to be true, then I'd want to keep Zi far away from Elaine... This will require more thought.


4

Nanny-02

After spending so much time on my research with R it is a relief to step outside and slay monsters once more. I feel the changes worked upon me in the last few months have altered my skills and mind beyond belief. But no matter how I change, my quest for a new home for my people continues. I feel as if the whole world is open to us, and we only need reach out and take it!

On a more mundane note, the creatures in the Holiri floating temple interest me. They are dragon-like, and among them are even some true dragons - red, and terrible. Although we didn't experience a great deal of difficulty this time around. The new armor R and I developed together has been working exceptionally.


Maerilith

It's good to get out and breathe fresh air again! A weight has been lifted off my shoulders - both metaphorically and physically as I've regained my strength - and I've been getting an itch to expand my map collection again. So, off we went to make more progress at the Holiri Floating Temple!

It was my first time there, and I was surprised at how well coordinated the party was. I recall disorganization and chaos during the last stint of adventuring I had with the Ruby Counsel, but the others seem to have grown and evolved just as I have. Excluding Ignar of course who is as stubborn and unchanging as a mountain goat...

We finished clearing out a full floor this week! And I think it's safe to say that all of our abilities expanded from it! I feel a little bad for that red dragon at the end there though... I don't think we let it take a single step that entire fight.

We still have at least another floor to do, but it seemed like the others wanted a break from fighting, so we might pick up some more interpersonal quests and earn some coin next week instead of progressing through it further. I could honestly use the coin... Now that we're adventuring again, I fear my cravings for new spells has resumed, and the more powerful the spell, the more expensive the paper required to contain it is...


2022

Quest Logs 2022 Q3 2022 Q4

2021 - 2022

Quest Logs 2021 Q3 2022 Q2

2021

Quest Logs 2021 Q1 Q2

2020

Quest Logs 2020

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