Selune be Praised! We are triumphant. We found it almost by accident. After climbing the spire which housed Shaundakul's Chair we were stymied. Then, as Lief and I were examining a magical anomaly, Mithinu and Corim leapt past us onto the magical lift into Grimmerfang. We were given passage by the Illithid's brother, Selune favors the fool sometimes.
Then She touched us all with her Glorious and Gentle Power! Thank You, my Goddess. It saved our lives. I was able to restore Her power within myself, and that made the difference.
I must have recalled the mentioning of a black pool. Why else would I have prayed for the power to tread upon water. The Great Black Wyrm charged us from the depths of it's ebon home. I called upon Her to light our way and answer She did! It could not withstand our assault and, in the end, it's lifeless bulk sank to bottom of those lightless depths.
Some of our number evaluate the wyrm's hoard. We cannot tarry long, I believe the treasure will wait for our return. Selune be Praised! All Glory to the Goddess!
My Goddess, what I have seen. We thought we had found the Mountain, but instead found the lair of the fabled Stag-Headed Lich. Apparently the Company of the Talking Shield did not dispatch him, for his servants claimed to be expecting his arrival soon. Only through the Grace of Selune did we escape that wretched place. I believe we are on a better path now. Guide me well, Selune, my Goddess, my Light.
I cannot believe this past night. How wrong I was. Lief was kidnapped on the first watch and taken into the bowels of an encampment of orcs. They were led by an ancient Orog king who calls himself Kuldermog. Corim and Slyl led our rescue mission deep into the enemy camp. Someone shouted, "Wizards on the hill." I suspect it was Corim. This roused the entire camp and sent them into the trees, searching for imaginary wizards. Mithinu and I spotted the huge orog as he slit Lief's throat. As we rushed forward, chaos erupted all around us. Mithinu sent a bolt of lightning hurtling into the orog chief. He turned and rushed back into the tent as I reached Lief and touched him with Selune's healing power. A ball of fire cast by Mithinu exploded just behind me as attempted to help Lief away. We managed to make an escape from the camp only to find that the orog had turned himself invisible and followed us. He made an impassioned speech about honor and his desire for his home. Kelestri wanted to invite him to join us, to guide us to Mount Grimmerfang. Though I opposed this the Company chose to vote on the matter. If not for Kuldermog's pride and refusal to subject himself to captivity he would probably be our guide now. We do not need the help of the enemy to find this mountain. I have faith in my Goddess.
We have narrowly escaped from this insidious temple of Sharess, and lost four days in the process. The High Priest did give us some direction as we left however.Thank Selune the rest of our journey this day has been uneventful. It is good to have so little to write.
It is good to be free of the Underdark. After being attacked by strange flying creatures ( They bear an eerie resemblanceto the illithid. I wonder if they are related?) and killing two of them, we noticed that a glow emanatedfrom the bottom of the pool blocking our path. Slyl attempted to "walk " across, but fell in. The water was frigid. Corim suddenly stripped off his armor and dove down to get the glowing object. He returned with a quiver and five arrows, they no longer glow. We finally got across, thanks to Corim's ability to swim in that cold pool and Pavel's pitons and rope. I do not relish the thought of repeating that endeavor. We traveled for several more hours, finding what seemed to be a great and deserted cavern, eventually climbing a trail that led to the surface. I now sit in a room of a large manor house, which I can only describe as something of an anomaly. It's occupants name it the Passionhall of Sharess. I cannot say that this reassures me. It seems to be almost an enjoyable prison. Kelestri, Lief, and Corim have no such objections. They are frolicking with what seems to be a hoard of nude women. This does not seem right. Pavel is very agitated. I was correct, this is a trap! We are leaving now.
I thought that I would take some time to write more while we take a short rest. Although I bypassed the wall of force and let Sharisa out to return to Kurth, I now find myself at the shore of an underground pool. It seems we are at an impasse. Mithinu and Lief attempted to activate a portal that was built into the lift by the illithid. Pavel then declared that we should follow a path into the Underdark. I now regret this choice. We have walked for hours and I fear that I may not see Warah again. He is a good companion and does not deserve to be abandoned. Shaundakul's Chair does not seem to be something that would deep beneath the earth. I hope that we have not been led astray by our good monk. He said that he has not lost his vision, only his sight. I pray that he is not wrong.
I am only waiting for midnight so that I may petition Selune for new knowledge. I may be able to get us past the wall of force. Pavel and Kelestri took a terrible risk in meeting the mindflayer alone. Thank the Moonmaiden that it paid off. It chose not to challenge us. I believe it may have seen it's own demise in Pavel's mind. He has earned new respect in my mind this day. To sacrifice his eyes to save Sharisa's life. I cannot fathom his dedication to Ilmater's principles. Selune would not ask me to punish myself for the sake of an enemy. I am glad that Shar is now denied so many of her faithful. Sharisa free of that cold grip and her former students all dead, it is a very good thing. The gargoyle that Slyl killed was unlike any that I have heard, and I think it is cause for some concern. Thankfully, our explorations have not resulted in any of being hurt or killed. Corim deftly avoided being crushed by a collapsed cavern, which actually leads outside. Mithinu opened the locked door in the Calishite tomb. Several tons of sand seem to say this was mistake. I must pray now. Watch over me and The Company, my Goddess.
Selune be praised! I watched as the undead melted before the upraised symbol of my faith. Their corrupted forms could not stand Her holy power. We have delved into Iroth's old mine and found horrible things. A ruined wagon warned us outside, of the things that dwelt within. A Banelar, foul serpentine servant of Bane, and a brain eating Illithid. A vile sickness overcame me in the battle with the Banelar, it was all I could do to crawl to the battle to aid those who could fight. Mithinu has finally earned her place today, with the well placed ball of fire Corim has been craving. She undoubtedly saved us much woe by incinerating that swarm of freakish rats. I wonder how they live with their brains exposed to the air. A strange shape-shifting creature caught Slyl. We managed to subdue it, gain valuable information, pilfer it's treasure, and free Slyl. I have liberated six holy symbols of Selune, Pavel is holding onto the symbols of some other Deities that were there as well. I have by chance aquired Sharisa's journal. I did not know how right I was about her. Perhaps there is hope for her. Selune shine the light of hope on her that she may see redemption. I still will not have any mercy if she attempts to hurt any of us. There is much to learn in this journal as well, that is, if it has not been planted here to misguide us. Selune give me wisdom.
I am officially now a member of "The Company of Light and Darkness." One thing that puzzles me is that the one I had thought to be a leader in this group is now gone. Animosus has declined membership in this company. It seems that his need to be a leader of men outweighs his need to do goodly acts. That is unfortunate, his skills and bravery will be missed.
We have gained a companion, a Moon Elf by the name of Mithinu. She is very pretty, I hope that her skills as a mage match her appearance. She seems to be quite reserved.
Again, it has been a very full day( I think this may be a regular occurrence for TCLD). We met two travelers on the road to Falcon. The peddler Igor, and a roadside prophet of Beshaba. I dismissed her dire predictions and advice to pray to her fickle goddess. I trust Selune to watch over me and do not need to beg the Maid of Misfortune for favors.
In Falcon we saw more of the handiwork of the followers of Bane. The temple of Lathander had been attacked, it's priests killed. A foul undead was left there to cause hurt to the unwary. I, with Selune's power, was able to corner the monster while Kelestri and Slyl dispatched it. We returned to The Deepfires Inn to find that our mounts had been "liberated." Corim was almost lost in rage. He went so far, I learned later it was him, as to cause darkness to envelope the inn. We caught the guilty party and his conspirator quickly, and recovered all but two of our horses. Thank Selune that I found Warah, my traveler, my friend on the road.
Between Falcon and Iroth we ran into a Giant. It was Leif's quick use of a spell that left it laughing uncontrollably and allowed us our escape. We luckily avoided a second encounter with it's companions. They are in league with the Baneites.
We are now waiting until morning to descend into Iroth. I am to have the last watch with Corim. I think he is becoming a follower of the Moonmaiden, he asks enough questions.
I hope the morning brings better fortune to our little Company. Watch over my new friends, my Goddess, they are good folk and I believe we can all make a difference.
I can't even begin to start this day, so much has happened. We have been attacked by fire wielding imps, armed the commoners, almost witnessed the murder of our company. That we arrived too late to save the mage is regrettable. Sharisa turned out to be the snake I suspected she might be. I know that it was Selune's grace and my faith that turned her evil spell from me. I thought that I saw some measure of doubt? regret? sadness? in her eyes before she fled. It is too late for mercy. May Shar give her all that she has claimed, grief, loss, and despair. I have been humbled, my Goddess. I am truly blessed by your Holy Light. That we overcame that fiend, and liberated Kurth from the yoke of tyranny all in one night. It is evident to me that this is where you desire me to be. To be overcome by her power, it was awesome, I was filled with her Glory. I knew that we would succeed, there could be no doubt. All praise to you my Glorious Goddess, Moonmaiden, Font of Goodness. Forever am I yours. I am weary. I shall rest now.
Slyl has come to me with disturbing news. Apparently, Sharisa, the woman at the gate today, is a priestess of Shar. And she wants to kill me. I think I will arrange a meeting with her to ascertainher intentions. She will not find me such an easy victim. Such are the ways of evil. I know that Selune will watch over me and keepme safe from the minions of her dark sister.
Today has been most interesting. I believe I have found the ones whom Selune has been guiding me toward. They are a diverse group. Animosus-A paladin of Tyr, and an associate of the driver,Gustav. Kelestri- A fiery warrior of distant lands. I am not sure if it is she or the paladin who leads here. Leaf- A gifted half-elven minstrel. Slyl- He does not speak. Who can tell what secrets he holds. Corim- Not much more than a boy, he seems to possess a hidden strength. Pavel- A monk of the Yellow Rose. A soft spoken, yet intense fellow. I thank you my Goddess, for bringing these people into my path.
I have had a most enjoyable stay here at Mooncrest Hill. I can feel my Goddess' gentle tug, pulling me away from here. I will leave in the morning.
I have a feeling I may return as soon as I am able. Quiet, shy, Veronica has struck a cord in me, though I am not sure if it is friendship or something more.
