Journal Log: 4-29-05

Mother;

I hope you have been enjoying the letters. Sorry, the letters have not been on a regular basis. Our travels for the Baron and our adventures keep us on the rode constantly. I can't remember the last time I have been able to just sit in a field of flowers at night to count the stars. This is not a time for the 'good' to sit idle while 'evil' roams the world freely. Oh, sorry about that mom, you know I like to pull your leg. Yah, I still remember your lessons about good vs evil and chaos vs law, but you know me I have a hard time being in the middle I never could sit idly by and wait.

Well, we started out in our favorite inn, sipping a few and talking with the locals. I was talking to the group about what we should do next. I was a little fuzzy on the details (captain, ships, and undead), but I remembered that we were after, a ship full of treasure. Unfortunately, the rest of the party could not seem to remember. I wonder if that Necromancer (Sarazac) didn't cast some type of spell on the rest of the party to make them forget? Nah, it is most likely that the party is just bad at remembering details. Some are so smart, but man those humans can really be 'blond'. Finally, I was able to talk some sense into them (you would think that Elves would actually be more insightful, but I think that the sorcerer was all doped up on some type of drugs).

Afterwards we (the bard and myself) headed off to Nissa's place to get some information out of her. I don't think the bard was planning to well (it was well past bed time for humans and even half elves), because Nissa came to see us in her evening wear (for a half elf the Goddess has blessed her). She told us about the ship, the Skufula, it was piloted by the necromancer Sarazac and a crew of undead. I guess Sarazac killed the original crew who still manned the ship, evil necromancers they are the plague of the earth. Necromancers have ruined the natural order, animating the dead how disgusting. She also warned us that 'Sho' had some personal business with the party.  The bard really seemed out of it, maybe he was just too tired from the previous days and all the fighting we have been doing. He stuttered and blundered the simple conversation, and he didn't even really notice Nissa. Oh well, can you imagine a bard who never sings? I know I can't really make heads or tails out of him. Maybe, he just is afraid of large parties? I mean even in combat, only once did you ever even use his special 'talents' and yet he loves to toss around magic. I think he would have made a better sorcerer than a bard. Oh, well his loss and our gain (at least I don't have to listen to him squeek).

Afterwards, we headed back to the our favorite inn and met up with the rest of the party. Sure enough, the Halfling is bouncing at the door and 'Sho' is in his usual place, almost as if he knew we were coming (I know he would know; he has been keeping an eagle eye on us, along with Nissa, and the Baron's uncle; all of them know our every move). That is one of the reasons why I don't include too many details in the correspondents. I am certain everyone is reading our letters, so yah, you know (thanks mom I knew you would). Anyway, that scoundrel goblin, 'Sho', goes on to threaten us! Yah, he was going to send 'professionals' after the ogre to kill it just because  he thinks we didn't fulfill our deal (kill the ogres). I knew that ogre, 'Archi', was going to cause us trouble, why didn't I trust my gut and just cut him down? Oh, well he will prove to be a great asset in the future.

Hmm, the goblin did not like the term 'assassin', but instead he prefers the term 'professional'. This world is full of subtleties it is hard to figure out what is meant. After a round and a few negotiations, we finally came to an agreement that we could keep 'Archi' if we killed Sarazan the Necromancer, especially since he had an award on his head from the Chancellor, 1,000 gp! We agreed to bring in Sarazan for the bounty in (dead or alive, preferably dead) in exchange for calling off the 'professionals' and not cleaning the cave of any 'refuge', 'Archi'. I did however ease the tension by offering him a simple gift, 'halfling barbeque sauce'; it is made with fey wine (who knows, maybe he would have a fatal allergic reaction, choke and die, or just have a massive coronary, yah now that's the ticket). Either way we finished our deal and got some much needed rest.

The next day the bard gets a note from Nissa's favorite half-orc asking us to meet Latrise (the drow necromancer) at the Baron's keep. That morning we packed our gear and headed off to see the Baron. We were greeted by a number of the Baron's associates, the master weapons smith. Thunor, the dwarf, immediately brushed his way past everyone and said "Where is that scrounge elf?" and walks up to me and says "Well, were is it? Come on, show me my sword!" Well, not wanting to insult him I immediately show him 'Celebriän' and he tells me about the ding, the dent, and the un-oiled pommel! I am glad I didn't tell him how I dinged or dented the blade, especially since it is supposedly 'nearly indestructible'. I do however know that Celebriän was glad to be near 'Papa' again.

Mother you should have heard Celebriän it nearly sang in happiness; I thought for sure Thunor would have noticed his precious blade talking to him a mile per minute, he looked at the blade as if it were just a hunk of metal that he was proud of crafting as compared to the true spirit that lies within the blade. Oh, well someday he will understand the swords true self. I doubt even the Baron understands. Why is that these 'people' seem so unfamiliar with the voices that are within, I mean even the druid doesn't even notice all the voices talking to her; she just walks on by. I would think that a sorcerer would hear them, but no. I guess I'm fortunate I had a mother who cared enough to teach me how to commune with the spirits that are within. Someday, I will be able to commune and be able to influence the spirits enough to actually create spells. I know I should have gone down your path mother, but the Elven Knights of the Goddess needs me, and when all four of the spirits tell you the same thing you follow their advice and serve. Then again you already know that. I'm sorry mother I wasn't able to continue the family tradition, but maybe in a way I still am, to a limited degree. Yes, mother someday I will settle down and pass the tradition to your grandchildren, but not right now. No mother, I won't get myself killed over some stupid maneuver. You know I don't go head strong charging into combat like my sister, I am more rational and I always have a plan, ok?

Sorry about that I got carried away. I will try and keep to the story. We were escorted to see the Baron in his personal quarters (either we are becoming very close to the Baron, or I don't know what else, but I doubt it is good, I get a bad feeling about our closeness to the Baron, someday it will probably come to bite us, hard). then the Baron said something strange to us, it might have been the Fey wine, but I have a feeling he is use to the stuff. He cautioned us to not harm his uncle in his place, otherwise he could not protect us, and reassured us that his uncle would not harm us (probably true but some day the Baron's influence will not be enough to shield us from his uncle, it is just a matter of time). Anyway, Latrise told us, no he clearly warned us to never seek this type of information again, because the dark energies would destroy us and our world. He repeated that caution three different times during the conversation. I believe he is either being very up front (yah, right) or he is leading us down the wrong path again! He told us to go to the wharf and dig around. He also told us about Sarazac's master and how the Scufula shop was manned by undead, skeletons, and juju-zombies. The Baron's personal quarters are very nice, they even have a claw from ancient one, Sagal. Yah, lucky for me that one did not talk to me, but I do know that is capable of talking! The spirit within it is truly evil and ancient, I don't think the Baron was as successful as he thinks he was at actually killing the dragon, I would hate to see Latrise learn that the spirit within is still present, the power, the evil, the horror this world would see is unfathomable.

Wow, I did it again. I will try to get to the main part of the story. Anyway, the next day we head back to town after talking with the Baron. He wants to continue training with me. Someday I will get my blade to sing. The next day we went to the wharf to find a ship to go after the necromancer. We find out that the Duke is going after the necromancer also in a war ship from a salty dog of a sailor, but he offers us a chance to meet his 'friend' who has a very fast sloop that has the actual potential to catch the fast necromancer ship. The halfling wants to go see the Duke, so I tagged along to make sure she didn't get the party into trouble, besides someone has to introduce her to him, right?

We get to the Duke's ship and manage to get a conference with him. Wow, a human who is actually noble enough to be an Elf. I know I doubted it myself, I know I shouldn't, but it is true. He is a big man with an amazing grip! Obviously the Duke wanted to know why we were there and Rain's story was weak, 'looking for a fight', but she didn't have any sailing experience. Then he looked at me and wanted to why I brought her there, I told him the truth that the Baron wished him a safe journey and I wanted to make sure Rain at least received a face to face. I didn't tell him that the Baron told me if I was successful he would actually grant me the title Errant Knight if I was successful! I did however manage to get some more information about ship's abilities (Sufula has a ram scoop on the bow). We left the Duke's graciousness and hospitality and went back to the rest of the party.

The next day we met up the old sea dog Carlos and the captain of the scoop (a real wimp). We proceeded for the next two weeks to sail, hurl, get bored, and sail some more, but finally the Skufula showed. The bard was in the crows nest and spotted the ship, in a few precious minutes the ship was heading towards us and proceeded to ram us. Fortunately, Carlos was able to pull a daring move and bring us along side the ship. I jumped to the other side immediately and proceeded to the captain's quarters in hopes to capture that bastard necromancer, besides I owed him one. The rest of the party began to fight off the invading zombies and skeletons. That is when the bard was zapped by the necromancer with a lightning bolt, he barely managed to escape and slide to the other ship before the nest was destroyed, but he sure did singe his tail feathers. After that it became a real blur. The necromancer took a hit from Gregor and proceeded to leave by jumping into the hold. I couldn't take the risk that he would get away again, so I dashed forward past the slow zombies and leapt into the hold. I lost track of the topside battle after that so I really can't tell you a whole bunch, but I can say they were successful. Some were hurt, but for the most part, well they all survived.

Down below I did however land on the gun deck and I did run into the necromancer, his guard, and a couple of zombies. I don't know how he did it, but he charmed the pants out of me on the spot! He is very powerful necromancer. The rest is fuzzy, almost like a dream. He disappeared right through the hull of the ship (actually he turned invisible, but the charm spell really messed up my memory). For some strange reason, I believe Celebriän influenced me and I struck at the necromancer's guard who at the time was my friend, but I believed he was about to backstab my best friend in the world, the necromancer. I was right though, he was about to strike me down, Sarazac's best friend! So, I cut him down, but he was really strong. It was a pitched battle between the two of us, but Celebriän made sure I was victorious, but for some strange reason Celebriän decided she wasn't going to finish the fight and plunged herself into the bulkhead beam, and I had to finish him off with my old blade I carried as a backup weapon. I did not escape that battle without harm though, mother, but I managed to survive. You know how it is with me, right?

I managed to, barely I was bleeding to death, climb my way back up to the top of the ship after I searched the bodies and disposed of the last two remaining zombies down below. I didn't want to go back into melee so I started to snipe off crossbow men. It seemed the party had gathered together in a circle along with the 'Archi' and they were fighting off the last few remaining zombie. I continued to fight off a few more zombies. The cleric managed to heal me and I was feeling better. It sure did take him a long time to finally get to me {actually the DM sort of hasted the time and we ignored the details}. I wonder if the 'good' father ever would have healed me if we were actually in combat. I think he has a thing going for Rain. Hmm, unlikely but I can never tell with these humans.

The ship was loaded with gold, treasures and a few other magical goodies. I managed to snatch up the guard's gauntlets of ogre power and his two potion bottles. The rest we transferred to our ship prior to the Duke arriving and he gave us a writ stating we earned the ship and it's contents. They escorted us home and numerous hours later we were out of there.

Well, I need to go bed. I had a few moments prior to getting ready to go to practice in the morning I believe the next few days is going to bring us some really good news.

Love,

E’Ze

-Elinara Zearana