Surprises All Around

29th Day of the 12th Moon, Year 810

We awoke to find Dravven seemingly poisoned.  We thought we had set up shelter for a good nights sleep in a nice dense patch of the woods that helped to keep us dry from the falling rain we discovered upon leaving Kobold Hall; apparently, we were not alone in our desire to remain dry.  The foul beast that did the deed unto Dravven must have also wanted to remain warm and dry as he did not travel far - upon our stirring from rest, the brute slithered out from the brush to again attack our group.  Like all good followers of Pelor, my immediate reaction was to protect our downed companion.  I placed myself between our fallen friend and the fiend who fatigued him rallying for everyone to do the same…we would not let this serpent harm our friend any further! 

After the dispatching of the legless lizard, Oakbourne directed us in the best way to hide Dravven's body as we could not awake him nor could anyone provide any type of anti-venom.  We would return later upon recovering an antidote for the vile venom in his veins; for now, we decided we must press on and defeat the evil that had fallen like a shadow upon the land – and so, we returned to Kobold Hall.  The rooms we had passed thru previously were still vacant.  "Strange," I thought, as we walked through the cold halls.  One would think that replacements would have been sent to secure the area…but then, these days, everything is strange. 

As we ventured ever onward, there was a slight sense that the air was getting colder.  After passing through the doors near where we had pinned the now rotting Dragonborn, we came upon a fork.  We decided to split up with Dor venturing forth to the right, coming upon a large chamber where he could see a large boulder sitting high upon a ledge.  Oakbourne and I headed left where we startled some Dragonborn around the corner.  In the distance we could see two Kobolds who appeared to be guarding a hallway as they did not move, but continued to stir in place.  Coming to our aid, Dor ran to us and Zokathra perched high above on a ledge, raining bolts of mystical energy down upon on our foes.  As we fought these Dragonborn, flashes of fire came falling from the sky upon our enemies surprising them as well as us.  What could have caused this?  Some theorized that someone may have set off a trap while I couldn't help but think it was a blessing from Pelor.  Not long after, a wall of stars was seen endangering our enemies; my fellow adventurer's all began to smile…they seemed to now know the source of our good luck.

I heard someone begin to speak the name of this unknown benefactor…but the sound was diminished as a large crash could be heard from the open chamber.  Puzzled, we had no time to investigate for these Dragonborn before us meant business.  Soon, however, we saw what we heard - the large boulder had fallen from its pedestal and was now barreling down the hallway connected to the chamber, heading straight for us.  The boulder was too fast and large for many of us to completely avoid, injuring both us and our enemies without distinction.  With the aid of our mysterious friend and the rolling rock, we defeated the Dragonborn and the Kobolds.  Our aide, fading out of thin air, revealed himself to be non-other than a previous companion of my current party, a gnome by the name of Spek.  He warned us that we were close to the heart of darkness and to be prepared for battle.

Heeding Spek's advice, we treaded slowly in the next large chamber that was now quite noticeably colder than the previous rooms.  There was a frozen lake as well as columns of ice which contained animals of all sorts.  Soon, we saw the cause of this cold, a white ice dragon.  With no time to lose, we set about attacking this dragon and his fellow Dragonborn attendants.  I tried to reason with both the dragon and his compatriots but to no avail – followers of Tiamut only listen to the promise of valuables and the might of the sword.  It was too bad, as the dragon seemed to be young; it certainly tears me inside to see any youth taken to ill deeds.  With the last two of the dragon's entourage terminated, the now weakened dragon ran to a corner of the room where there were chained Kobolds.  The dragon grabbed one with his snout and, snapping right through the chains of this Kobold's captivity, threw it up in the air nearly swallowing the poor creature whole.  This act seemed to reinvigorate the dragon, which only solidified our resolve to finish this fight.  With a flurry of attacks, we quickly took care of the beast.

Upon slaying the white dragon, we came upon a room where Dor found a spear.  I'm not sure of the spears origin as Dor would not let anyone get a good, close look at it.  Meanwhile, Spek pulled me aside and asked if I might be interested in something he found along his travels; from his pack he pulled a pouch of dark red velvet.  Seeing I was Disciple of Pelor, he said that I could have this bag and its contents as it was of no use to him.  Could this be the item I had been partially charged to return to the temple?  I graciously took the pouch which I could now see was embroidered with the coat of arms of my kingdom.  The pouch was warm to the touch and as I touched it, a faint glow began to emanate from within.  I opened the pouch and there it was, the Symbol of Radiant Flame! 

Instrumental during the Grand War that unified the elves and humans of my kingdom against a common enemy 100 years ago, it was thought to have been lost in the final decisive battle.  It was no wonder Spek found the Symbol useless - the amulet and chain are made from magically imbued molten magma.  Only an adept of Pelor who has undergone the Three Rituals of Fire can wield this Symbol in their hands without injury from the searing heat this masterwork radiates.  The high priest of our temple will be most pleased that this holy relic was recovered.  I thanked him and then wrapped the chain around my forearm and hand, letting the amulet hang down from my palm so as not to burn myself when calling upon its power during the heat of battle.  All Spek asked was that I grant him a few rounds of ale the next time we were in town - to which I replied I would find him the best minstrel in the land and turn those rounds of ale into a night of celebration!  Now, if I only knew where to find the renowned bard named Aytalon…

-Lord Esmond the Second, House of Arrington, Son of Aeria, Descendant of Aeroenor

A New Rising

28th Day of the 12th Moon, Year 810


After months of self doubt, my resolve is once again strengthened today. Upon investigating some foul deeds occurring near a few small towns in the outlying areas, I came upon a fellow group of travelers within the presumed source of these incredible events - a worn down building informally referred to as Kobold Hall. I share a great deal of similarities with this group. They, like myself, are seeking to destroy evil in our world. And, in what I've taken as a sign, they too were shocked to find a human construct within their mist, though they were quite lucky as this one seems to have been created more stable than ones I have already come to know of both verbally and personally. After tending to the remains of the one they called Arwaicus, I made an offer to join their group in order to aid them in clearing out the perpetrators of the dastardly killings in the neighboring villages of this once prestigious hall. Praise Pelor as they did agree.


Already in the basement of the Hall, we travelled yet further down where we came upon a most unusual sight – two Kobolds playing a game of some sorts while 2 Dragonborn lingered about. The Kobolds were swinging goo-covered rocks tied to the ceiling outward into the room trying to gather random skulls as some sort of contest when the daring Elf Dravven inadvertently drew their attention while trying to ascertain the situation before us. With the minions alerted, the bold dwarf Oakbourne charged into battle. Dravven, in a calculated move if I ever saw one, shot 2 arrows simultaneously, with such precision, that he severed the ropes holding the rocks those nasty Kobolds were recently playing with. Oakbourne, the only one out in the open at that time, prepared himself in case the rocks came flying his way as they fell, which to everyone's relief, was not the case. The rocks merely fell upon the floor leaving the Kobolds quite incensed.


The warrior Dor, a fellow believer in Pelor's radiance, rushed out into the fray tossing his dagger directly at one of these Kobolds – a mighty feat considering the distance at which he threw and hit. Try as I might, I could not land a hit upon our enemy; it appears my grandfather was right - formal training and a will resolute is not enough to make a warrior, but, of course, this IS why I am here to begin with. With my attacks fruitless, I did my best to weaken the enemy thru Astral Sealing them. I also tried speaking directly to the Dragonborn in an attempt to find their true intentions, as it was quite strange to see them cavorting with the Kobold. But all they stated was their unending resolve in following the ways of Tiamat, a most despicable presence in our world. At this point, we noticed that the Dragonborn were changing colors, a strange sight indeed! But why? There must be more going on here than simple livestock killings.


After defeating the 2 Kobolds, we slew one Dragonborn and tossed the other into a pit of goo in the middle of dungeon floor. He tried to get out, but our resolve was strong and we, in a most ironic fashion, pummeled our enemy from above like the most ferocious of flying dragons. With the strength of the 3 warriors in our group, the Eladrin Zokathra's mystical magic, and my holy energies, we were able to easily defeat these damned followers of Tiamat. We hoisted up the first killed Dragonborn, pinning him to a wall next to a set of doors our enemies did not want us to venture past and left a message stabbed on him. The message stated that the same fate will come of all those who uphold evil in their hearts. At this point, we were all quite drained and decided to take rest outside the Hall in the forest before venturing further into the darkness below this now un-hallowed ground. Though we must rest like the setting sun, we shall, as does the days leading to the summer solstice, return stronger than the day before, and for that, I am grateful to have regained my conviction.


-Lord Esmond the Second, House of Arrington, Son of Aeria, Descendant of Aeroenor

Shadows

12^th Day of the 10^th Moon, Year 810

It has been 6 months.  To most casual observers, many things have changed, but to me, there was nothing that could change the outcome of that day or the world that has followed since.  A son of nobility, wandering the world in the name of peace, I thought that the light of Pelor would always expose the evil within men.  How naïve I was.  Is it even possible for something that is a mere shadow to be good?  Or even evil?  I pride myself on my ability to read people, but, I could never have imagined that I would be tested by those who know not even their own evils within. 

My mind wanders from time to time, thinking – no – obsessing on what could be done to make right of that terrible massacre.  If only I could bend Pelor's will and turn back the clock!  I am ashamed to acknowledge this through writing as this must surely be blasphemy to his holy path! It is a fool's journey to think they can undo what must occur to keep the now whole.  But, a fool I would rather be than to give up on right.  Instead, I must continue to let those that died be my inspiration for what lies ahead.  Though I hate the idea, I know that this is a test of my faith and I shall not slink off into the shadows just because the heat of the moment has become unbearable.

-Lord Esmond the Second, House of Arrington, Son of Aeria, Descendant of Aeroenor